“
art must return to play a more central and innovative role in society by allowing a collective, conscious and critical participation from those who surround it
”
ELISABETTA RASTELLI: Parma 360. A Festival of con-
streets, the shops and forgotten spaces was one of
project that aims to take a 360 degree look at the
when the Festival was first started, was facing some
temporary creativity, the perfect given name for a
Italian contemporary creativity with a focus on
emerging talent as well. With the involvement of some of the most important names from the world of contemporary art, you have not
only increased the value of the city’s projects
at an international caliber, but also without
the objectives in our mission to revitalize a city that,
complications. Regenerating and refurbishing new
spaces after the first edition has become an important aspect; the input of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Terzo
Paradiso in the city center, which had its difficulties, has given us that extra push to begin.
ever neglecting for a moment, the importance
ER Given the context of the fair, where there are
starting point for this venture and what was
financial support to the spaces and artists, in
of involvement at a local level. What was the taken into consideration before you decided to invest in this Festival?
CHIARA CANALI: We believe that the Festival has the po-
many awards and acquisition funds that supply what way does the Festival intend to support
more experimental outlooks along with new generations?
tential to become an important cultural resource for
CC Together with more established artists, the Festival
as The Festival of European Photography in Reggio
way they have the possibility to express themselves
the city of Parma. For example, an annual event such Emilia or the Philosophy Festival in Modena; able
to create a network in our community and convey in its own way, both contemporary art exhibitions and
events that are fully dedicated to young creatives. We are convinced that art should not only be enjoyed
exclusively in galleries and museums but that it must leave its ivory tower, by seeking out a more inclusive reality and a wider audience, not solely made up of
insiders. Art must return to play a more central and innovative role in society by allowing a collective,
conscious and critical participation from those who surround it.
CAMILLA MINEO: Certainly with the desire to bring con-
temporary art to a city like Parma, which is very tied to long-standing traditions, we tried to do it with a fresh, young and simple outlook in order to reach a
transversal audience. Furthermore, bringing art to the that’s contemporary on paper
offers space as well as visibility to young artists, that and experiment with new forms of art linked to this
transitional period that we are currently experiencing. For this reason, we have been paying a lot of attention
to the endorsement of new experimental and technological forms of expression through shared artistic and experimental design. Similar in the case of Stazione
Creativa of Studio Azzurro, which has now become a concrete meeting place and an opportunity to revitalize
artistic practices that promote creative exchange and experimentation.
CM Since the first edition, the Festival has been offering
free or discounted workshops with artists and other professionals of the industry. In addition to Stazione
Creativa, we have developed a number of workshops in
food design, macrophotography, and art photography with Maurizio Galimberti along with others. This year
we will hold a series of stimulating events with Franco
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