Narine Arakelian's 'Pane' Explores Bread as Metaphor at Accademia delle Arti del Disegno

From May 15 to 30, 2026, the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence hosts 'Pane', a solo exhibition by Armenian artist Narine Arakelian. Curated by Inna Khegay, the show examines bread as a foundation of civilization, blending contemporary art, spirituality, and social critique. The centerpiece is a large sculpture carved from pink tufa stone sourced from Armenia, inspired by Matera's bread-offering tradition. Divided into thirteen elements, it evokes the Last Supper and features incised patterns referencing cryptocurrencies, abstract symbols, and the phrase 'to be or not to be', creating a dialogue between materiality and immaterial economic systems. The exhibition also includes the video 'Rinascita Subconscia' (2019) and recent works previously shown at the Museum of Modern Art of Yerevan in 2024, such as the polyptych 'Lettere', the triptych 'LOVE CORE HOPE', and the diptych 'Afrodite'. Supported by the Associazione Amici del Museo Ermitage in Italia, the project is presented with the endorsement of Accademia president Cristina Acidini, who notes Arakelian's work moves 'between unease and trust'. Arakelian, born in Tynda in 1979 and based between Venice and Los Angeles, has participated in three Venice Biennales, Manifesta 12, and Art Basel Miami with her project TO ₿E NFTs. Francesco Bigazzi, president of the Associazione, describes her art as a search for traces that might vanish into infinity, leaving bread as a warning that true value lies in sharing.