Giuliano Gori on Art, Nature, and the Fattoria di Celle

Giuliano Gori, the visionary collector and creator of the Fattoria di Celle in Tuscany, discusses his concept of arte ambientale (environmental art) and his unique approach to collecting. In an interview with Catherine Mathis for artpress.com, Gori emphasizes that he never chooses artists based on market value or fame, but on their creative resources and ability to connect with the spirit of the Villa Celle. He describes his relationship with artists as akin to a love story, requiring time and mutual understanding before collaborating on site-specific works. Gori explains that the Fattoria di Celle, with its romantic park, olive groves, woods, and lakes, often inspires artists to explore new materials and media. He sees arte ambientale as a means to preserve nature, having partnered with the University of Florence to promote this goal. The interview also touches on the successful exhibition "Arcadia in Celle" at the Fondation Maeght, curated by Olivier Kaeppelin, which Gori praises for capturing the essence of his collection. Gori reflects on his role as a "non-profit art entrepreneur" and the importance of making art accessible to the public, noting that since the second half of the 20th century, art has moved beyond private collections. He cites Fausto Melotti, Dani Karavan, and Robert Morris as memorable artists who left a lasting impression.