Art & Society becomes
Art & Society in Siena: a course to explore and be inspired by our surroundings here in Tuscany and to consider how the dynamics of intercultural dialogue can impact our contemporary art practices.
Moving beyond stereotypical representation of Tuscany, Art & Society in Siena encourages a deeper understanding of the territory and its cultural dynamics.
• What is the underlying concept behind this course?
The idea is to give students an opportunity to engage with Siena’s social fabric, but using contemporary tools. As students, the challenge is usually figuring out how to transform the information they receive into material they can decode and use as contemporary forms of expression. That’s why we use a method of direct learning that rejects the dogmatic transmission of information and is instead based on direct, active experience (
Irene Lupi).
Artistic forms, narratives rise primarily from interconnected relationships and not in isolation or in a detached manner, they need to find their place, engage with one another, and then tell their stories (
Bernardo Giorgi).
We encourage students to see art not as an isolated practice, but as a powerful way to understand culture, history, identity, and contemporary life, with our inspiring setting of Siena as a rich source of inspiration (Lisa Nonken). The city and its surroundings become a starting point for exploring contemporary art, discovering new perspectives and reflecting on the relationship between artistic practice and society.
- Why include Siena in the Art and Society course? And why might this work in Siena in particular?
Siena is not just a city, but a journey through time that, if properly examined, can provide valuable insights for archaeological and anthropological analysis. (
Irene Lupi).
Siena offers a unique living laboratory where art, history, civic identity, and community are deeply interconnected. Its rich cultural heritage and strong sense of place make it an ideal setting to explore how art reflects society while actively shaping it (
Lisa Nonken).
Siena is a truly unique city. [...] Siena is a city with strong historical ties, isn’t it? Even though today it’s become a bit of a postcard as gentrification destroys and swallows up cities... but in my opinion, Siena also has a strong tradition of dynamic community structures.
One example: even though this reality has changed a great deal, is what non Sienese call neighborhoods, but which we call contrade, where, through the Palio, which may seem like an event, let’s call it, for tourism, but in reality, the Palio is, as they say in Siena, “Vita” and has very close ties to people’s lives. So, Siena can serve as a great example for reinterpreting art within society. And then Siena is a city with extremely important institutions, there are many academies, such as the Accademia dei Rozzi, the Accademia dei Fisiocritici, and the Accademia degli Intronati.
So we try to look beyond the superficial, postcard image, to see how these places came into being, how they grew, and, much like a living organism, how they relate to what ultimately is the visionary creative practice of art. The primary mission is to create Future or Futures… (Bernardo Giorgi). Through active engagment with the city's contemporary cultural life, the course creates opportunities to connect with the local communities, explore the broader social role of artists and develop individual artistic projects and portfolio.
- What can students expect from this course?
What we offer is hands-on work, practical experience in the field, creative practice, and I’d say one of our missions is to provide the tools you need to build your own toolkit. Just as the brush and chisel were once essential, today it’s the way you write and rewrite your own story, shape your future, and create a vision for the future, to be support for society (Bernardo Giorgi).
The course consists of meetings with local communities, such as long established families, galleries, artists in residence, and professionals who work all over the world but continue to maintain strong relations to the city (Irene Lupi).
We believe in dynamic teaching that provides the opportunity to process information actively rather than passively. For this reason, students will be invited to explore two exhibitions: one at the Museo dei Fisiocritici, which has often hosted major contemporary art exhibitions. And the final one, in our space, which also includes the outdoor area where they can explore various topics such as inclusivity, urban green spaces, public and private spaces, and the community they will have potentially built over these past months.
A public presentation of their artistic work, designed to help students understand the role of the artist as fully as possible.
In addition to the educational program, students will have access to numerous suggestions for extracurricular meetings or experiences that can provide real opportunities for collaboration with the local community, opportunities that could serve as a foundation for their own artistic works (
Irene Lupi).
Students are encourageed to connect theory with real-world experiences and to develop new perspectives on the role of art in society as they embark on their careers as emerging artists (
Lisa Nonken).
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