Giacomo Pigliapoco Appointed First Director of Ducato Prize

The Ducato Prize, established in 2019 to foster dialogue between contemporary art and the territory of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, has appointed its first director. Giacomo Pigliapoco, an independent curator and researcher born in Senigallia in 1991 and based in Milan, was selected by the organizing team. His practice focuses on the relationship between technology and society, exploring spirit-technological practices and new ritual, bodily, and magical aspects that counter capitalist speed. Pigliapoco has curated exhibitions including 'BodiesBodies' at La Rada in Locarno, 'Milano piano zero' at Triennale Milano, 'Crepuscolo' at Bastione Sangallo in Loreto, and 'Preferire l’ombra' at Fondazione Sant’Elia in Palermo. Since 2017, he has collaborated with institutions such as GAMeC in Bergamo, Kunsthalle Lissabon in Lisbon, Collection Yvon Lambert in Avignon, and Artissima in Turin. As director, he will oversee artistic direction and strategic management, including planning and strengthening activities, curating the finalists' exhibition, and producing a print publication. Pigliapoco stated his goal is to foster the prize's growth through new ideas and collaborations while preserving its original intentions, aiming to make the Ducato Prize a precursor of new artistic trends and a reference for supporting artists nationally and internationally. Starting this year, the prize will be held biennially.