Trieste Contemporanea's Eastward Gaze: Interview with Giuliana Carbi Jesurun
Giuliana Carbi Jesurun recounts the origins and evolution of Trieste Contemporanea, a cultural center founded on the imperative to look eastward from Trieste. The project traces back to Studio Tommaseo, a gallery taken over by Franco Jesurun in 1974, and the association L'Officina, which together fostered avant-garde art, music, and cinema. In 1995, Trieste Contemporanea launched its 'Dialogues with the Art of Central Eastern Europe.' Key initiatives include the International Design Contest (started in 1995 by Gillo Dorfles), the CEI Venice Forum for Contemporary Art Curators (a Cooperation Activity of the Central European Initiative since 2003), and research projects like 'Harbour for Cultures.' Notable exhibitions featured Mirosław Bałka and Adrian Paci. Upcoming events include a graphic novel by Stefano Ricci based on a story by Gianni Stuparich, a talk with British abstractionist Ian McKeever co-produced by the Fondazione Franco Jesurun ETS (founded in 2025), the 2026 design contest exhibition, and a Fabio Mauri centenary show curated by Ephemera Festival opening October 2.
Key facts
- Trieste Contemporanea was founded to focus on Central and Eastern European art.
- The project originated from Studio Tommaseo, acquired by Franco Jesurun in 1974.
- The association L'Officina was created to expand the gallery's capacity.
- Dialogues with the Art of Central Eastern Europe began in 1995.
- The International Design Contest was launched in 1995 by Gillo Dorfles.
- The CEI Venice Forum for Contemporary Art Curators has been a Cooperation Activity of the Central European Initiative since 2003.
- Upcoming: a graphic novel by Stefano Ricci based on Gianni Stuparich's story in June.
- A Fabio Mauri centenary exhibition curated by Ephemera Festival opens October 2.
Entities
Artists
- Giuliana Carbi Jesurun
- Franco Jesurun
- Mirosław Bałka
- Adrian Paci
- Gillo Dorfles
- Stefano Ricci
- Gianni Stuparich
- Ian McKeever
- Fabio Mauri
- Darius Bastys
- Tiziano Campi
- Giorgio Valvassori
- Cristiano Bianchin
- Serse
- Lorenzo Gatti
- Maurizio Ferraris
- transparadiso
- Emanuela Marassi
- Nadia Bassanese
- Giampaolo Coral
- Lilla Cepak
- Carlo Montanaro
- Marco Pozzetto
- Rossana Bossaglia
- Filiberto Menna
- Veronica Rinaldi
Institutions
- Trieste Contemporanea
- Studio Tommaseo
- L'Officina
- La Cantina
- Galleria Tommaseo
- Fondazione Franco Jesurun ETS
- Ludwig Múzeum-Museum of Contemporary Art Budapest
- Royal Academy of Arts London
- Ephemera Festival
- Central European Initiative
- Juliet Art Magazine
Locations
- Trieste
- Italy
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Venice
- London
- United Kingdom
- via del Monte 2/1, Trieste
- via Canalpiccolo, Trieste
- via Torrebianca, Trieste
- Stazione Marittima di Trieste
- Caffè Tommaseo