Franco Farina, curator who revived Palazzo dei Diamanti, dies at 90

Franco Farina, the influential curator who transformed Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara into a major exhibition venue during the 1970s, has died at age 90. Farina, a former schoolteacher, became the dominant figure in Italian curating in that decade, organizing shows of all levels with minimal budgets. He collaborated with critic Renato Barilli and supported emerging artists like Luigi Ontani and Ketty La Rocca. Farina also enabled his wife Lola Bonora to open one of the first public video art centers. His tenure was marked by a 'generous improvisation' that ended with his retirement, after which Andrea Buzzoni took over with a more bureaucratic approach. Farina's legacy includes bringing major names like Andy Warhol to Italy for early appearances.