Vita minore: San Francesco as Anarchist in Contemporary Art at Palazzo Collicola
The exhibition 'Vita minore. San Francesco e la santità dell’arte contemporanea,' curated by Gianni and Giuseppe Garrera, is on display at Palazzo Collicola in Spoleto until June 2, 2026. Featuring over sixty artists and intellectuals, the lineup includes notable figures such as Alberto Burri, Gino De Dominicis, and Jannis Kounellis. The collection primarily draws from the curators' private holdings, with additional contributions from national and international sources. This exhibition explores Franciscan ideals—like poverty and brotherhood—through modern art, showcasing pieces such as Pietroiusti's 'Comunione' (2018) and Norese's 'Money is dead.' A series of public events, including guided tours, complements the exhibition, which is part of a broader program initiated in February. A new exhibition cycle will launch on June 27, in conjunction with the Festival dei Due Mondi.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Vita minore. San Francesco e la santità dell’arte contemporanea' at Palazzo Collicola, Spoleto, until June 2, 2026.
- Curated by Gianni and Giuseppe Garrera.
- Features over sixty artists and thinkers including Burri, De Dominicis, Kounellis, Saraceno, Pietroiusti, Norese, Lempert, Messiaen, Salvo, Tocca, Fato, Bentivoglio, Paolini, Lonzi.
- Loans mainly from curators' private collections, plus national/international loans and site-specific works.
- Avoids traditional Franciscan iconography; focuses on values like poverty, minority, corporeality, brotherhood with creation.
- Key works: Pietroiusti's 'Comunione' (2018) with shredded 500-euro note; Norese's 'Money is dead' coin in monstrance; Lempert's 'Cinciarella in mano' (1998).
- Public program includes meetings, guided tours, thematic insights.
- Part of a cycle with shows by Barry Flanagan, Franco Troiani, and Teatro Lirico Sperimentale posters.
- Museum director Saverio Verini aims to connect local heritage with international art history.
- New exhibition cycle opens June 27, coinciding with Festival dei Due Mondi.
Entities
Artists
- Alberto Burri
- Gino De Dominicis
- Jannis Kounellis
- Tomas Saraceno
- Cesare Pietroiusti
- Giancarlo Norese
- Jochen Lempert
- Olivier Messiaen
- Salvo
- Michele Tocca
- Matteo Fato
- Mirella Bentivoglio
- Giulio Paolini
- Carla Lonzi
- Antonio Del Donno
- Vincenzo Accame
- Ugo Carrega
- Francesco Salvini
- Barry Flanagan
- Franco Troiani
Institutions
- Palazzo Collicola
- Teatro Lirico Sperimentale
- Festival dei Due Mondi
- Galleria L’Attico
Locations
- Spoleto
- Italy
- Monteluco
Sources
- Artslife —