Giardino Project: A Private Garden in Salento Becomes an Independent Art Space
Founded in 2020 by Giuseppe Amedeo Arnesano in Trepuzzi, Lecce, the Giardino Project is an independent art venue that transitioned from a personal garden to a hub for artist residencies and community involvement. Drawing inspiration from his tenure at Fondazione Morra-Archivi d'Arte Contemporanea in Naples, it promotes collaboration and exchange. Over six editions, it has worked with local organizations, the Comune di Trepuzzi, and artists such as Shayma Hamad and Stefano Giuri. Partnerships include Medici Senza Frontiere and Fondazione Merz. In 2025, it initiated KRÍTAMO – Festival of Moving Images, with the subsequent 2026 edition highlighting Salento's agricultural landscape. Arnesano's exploration of gardens as political instruments will be showcased at Les Archives de la critique d'art in Rennes.
Key facts
- Giardino Project founded in 2020 in Trepuzzi, Lecce, by Giuseppe Amedeo Arnesano.
- Arnesano's background includes work at Fondazione Morra-Archivi d'Arte Contemporanea in Naples.
- The project began as a private garden attached to Arnesano's home, evolving into an independent art space.
- Giardino Project operates as a relational practice, hosting residencies and fostering community.
- The project has held six editions, becoming a stable presence in Salento.
- Collaborations include artists Shayma Hamad, Stefano Giuri, Caterina Morigi, Marco Musarò, Nuvola Ravera, Davide Sgambaro, Marco Vitale, and curators Lucrezia Calabrò Visconti, Giulia Colletti, Irene Sofia Comi, Vincenzo Estremo, Caterina Molteni, Giulia Turconi.
- In 2025, KRÍTAMO – Festival of Moving Images was launched, focusing on video and experimental cinema.
- The 2026 edition, 'Seme, Pianta, Fiore, Frutto, Seme,' explores the Salento agricultural landscape.
- Arnesano's research on the garden as a political and ecological device will be formalized at Les Archives de la critique d'art in Rennes.
- The project is inspired by Gilles Clément's concept of the 'garden in movement.'
Entities
Artists
- Giuseppe Amedeo Arnesano
- Peppe Morra
- Shayma Hamad
- Stefano Giuri
- Caterina Morigi
- Marco Musarò
- Nuvola Ravera
- Davide Sgambaro
- Marco Vitale
- Lucrezia Calabrò Visconti
- Giulia Colletti
- Irene Sofia Comi
- Vincenzo Estremo
- Caterina Molteni
- Giulia Turconi
- Gilles Clément
Institutions
- Giardino Project
- Fondazione Morra-Archivi d'Arte Contemporanea
- Comune di Trepuzzi
- Medici Senza Frontiere
- Apulia Film Commission
- Polo Biblio-Museale di Lecce
- Fondazione Merz
- Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
- Fondazione Lac o Le Mon
- Fondazione La Quadriennale
- Castello di Rivoli
- Luoghi del Contemporaneo
- DiAC-MiC
- ArtVerona
- KRÍTAMO – Festival of Moving Images
- 34°fuso
- SEI Festival
- Les Archives de la critique d'art
Locations
- Trepuzzi
- Lecce
- Italy
- Naples
- Salento
- Rennes
- France