Florence, for the first time contemporary art comes to San Miniato al Monte: Sofia Gandarias' works on display

Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, will also be there to attend the opening of an art exhibition that, for the first time in the thousand-year history of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, will be held in the striking crypt. In fact, never before has the “heart” of the Benedictine abbey overlooking Florence opened for a contemporary art event.

The appointment is for Saturday, October 20 at 4 p.m. when Gernika, an exhibition event that will feature the works of Basque artist Sofìa Gandarias (1951-2016) for nearly two months, will be inaugurated.
Co-sponsored by the Cultural Association “Pinocchio di Carlo Lorenzini” and curated by the same president, Monica Baldi, the exhibition “Gernika” (or Guernica in Basque) comes to Florence (thanks to the Prior of the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte, Father Bernardo, and theformer President of the European Parliament, Enrique Barón Crespo, head of Legado Gandarias), after it was admired until the end of last June in the Exhibition Hall of theBenedictine Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, in Burgos, Spain.

The Guernica Triptych, which Gandarias dedicated to his hometown and is owned by the Basque city’s Peace Museum, will be on view in the crypt of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, which for the first time opens its doors for a contemporary art exhibition representing an unprecedented adventure of beauty, faith and hope.

As Monica Baldi, the exhibition’s curating architect, points out in the text of the brochurethat enriches the exhibition, "the exhibition is an extraordinary exhibition opportunity and a cultural project of great emotional power: it is creating an ideal path between Spain and in Italy stimulating a deep reflection on peace and values, especially thanks to places so rich in extraordinary spiritual and cultural density."
The three very significant scenes in the artist’s work, the five striking sketches depicting violence and war experienced through the drama of colors, the unusual images of women, and the clock on the church facade marking the moment of the attack, take the visitor back to the terrible air attack that destroyed the Basque city on April 26, 1937.

In accordance with the deepest ethical convictions, this work is meant to represent direct engagement in democratic and civic choices. Indeed, Gernika, a Basque martyr town, is one of the most representative images of the 20th century for its symbolic value and is considered an ’Icon of Peace.’

The task of art critic of the exhibition will be entrusted to Cristina Acidini, President of theAccademia delle Arti del disegno in Florence, who, in the aforementioned brochure writes: "If Picasso had resolved the tragedy in a range of grays, Gandarias makes red prevail, in sharp contrast to black and neutral, so as to pour into the triptych and the other studies a blaze of fire and blood, which is like a cry against all wars of all times."

In addition to Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell (former President of the European Parliament and President of theEuropean University Institute at San Domenico di Fiesole), Father Bernardo, Enrique Barón Crespo, Monica Baldi and Cristina Acidini, Cristina Giachi (Deputy Mayor of Florence), Cristina Narbona (President of the Spanish Socialist Party and former Minister of the Environment) and Senator Caterina Biti will attend the opening on Saturday, October 20. The exhibition will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Admission is free. For information you can send an email to info@pinocchiohome.it, while to learn more about the artist, you can find the official website here.

Florence, for the first time contemporary art comes to San Miniato al Monte: Sofia Gandarias' works on display

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