Franco Toselli on Being a Gallerist: Portofranco at Triennale Milano

Franco Toselli, a legendary Italian gallerist who has operated a nomadic gallery since 1967, discusses his philosophy and current exhibition "Portofranco ‒ Soft Revolution" at Triennale Milano. The show, open in August 2018, is described as a living, free, and spontaneous space that brings together works from his Portofranco collective, a group of artists he has worked with since the 1990s. Toselli emphasizes the importance of direct contact with artists and the freedom of art, contrasting it with the increasing barriers in the contemporary art world. He recounts his collaborations with major Italian artists like Alighiero Boetti, Mario Merz, and Nicola De Maria, as well as international figures such as Daniel Buren, Gordon Matta-Clark, John Baldessari, Richard Serra, and Tony Cragg. Toselli reflects on his role not as a traditional gallerist but as someone who facilitates art's emergence, citing Boetti's phrase "mettere al mondo il mondo" (bringing the world into the world). He shares anecdotes, including demolishing his gallery with Michael Asher and hosting a wedding for Charlemagne Palestine and Luisa Orsacchiotti. Toselli argues that art should be free from authority and imposition, and that true artistic creation requires commitment and belief, not just professionalism. He also mentions his habit of free writing as a way to track thoughts and inspire future work.