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The 4th Biennale in December 2003 brought 891 artists from 74 countries to Florence to participate in the event. Artists were invited after being unanimously chosen by nomination of the 50 member International Committee of Critics. It seems that a majority of the participants were selected via an intensive search of internet websites. This is how I came to be invited. My first reaction was one of great surprise, but I followed through and as a result had one of the most enlightening and exciting experiences of my career, meeting and exchanging ideas with artists from all over the world. According to the Committee, "selections are made without predjudice as to style, theme or school -- nor are they chosen in the artificial light of 'national representation'." |
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The show was housed in the 14th century Fortezza da Basso. In
addition to being sponsered by the Italian government and the city of
Florence, it was also sponsered by the Ferrari Automobile Club, and by the
Vatican, both of whom also provided beautiful displays of their own: The Ferrari Club
presented five vintage Ferraris together with an early full-sized wooden
developmental frame, chrome plated engines and a staff to provide information
regarding their unique product. The Vatican had placed a full-size reproduction
of Michelangelo's Pieta and samples of tapestries woven by the
Sisters of the Vatican, along with historical commentaries of the work. |
 La Fortezza da Basso |
 Robert Cole's Madre della Pace on the approach to the Biennale entrance |
 Marion - My own "Lady of the Biennale" . |
 The Contis fighting off the "paparazzi" . . |
 How pidgeons get ahead in Italy (Giovanni della Bande Nere, father of Grand Duke Cosimo I, in the Piazza di San Lorenza) |
 Biennale proclamation at the Uffizi |
 Grand Duke Cosimo I - Piazza della Signoria |
 More pidgeons . |  Reproduction of Michelangelo's David in front of the Palazzo Vecchio |
 Filippo Brunelleschi |
 Brunelleschi's Duomo |
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