Grand Tour en Italie: Francesco Maluta and Michele Tiberio on Art, Travel, and Memory in San Gimignano
I was chatting with Francesco Maluta and Michele Tiberio, and they shared some insights about their roles in the Grand Tour en Italie | Wandering Art | Residency Programme. This program started in 2018 during Manifesta 12 in Palermo, thanks to Michela Eremita and Susanna Ravelli, and it’s now based in San Gimignano, with backing from Fondazione MPS and Associazione Culture Attive. The project recently wrapped up with an exhibition at Palazzo Pratellesi’s historic library, showcasing artwork from artists like Maura Banfo and Elena El Asmar. Tiberio's work explores saffron's history alongside the strength of crystal, while Maluta's pieces draw from postcards and tiles, highlighting themes of adaptation and hybridization. Both emphasize the importance of thoughtful artistic practices in today’s fast-moving world.
Key facts
- Grand Tour en Italie residency started in 2018 for Manifesta 12 in Palermo
- Project founded by Michela Eremita and Susanna Ravelli
- Residency now based in San Gimignano with Fondazione MPS and Associazione Culture Attive
- Exhibition at Palazzo Pratellesi historic library includes works by 10 artists
- Michele Tiberio investigates saffron's historical trade from Italy to Kurdistan
- Tiberio contrasts saffron's fragility with crystal's stability in his work
- Francesco Maluta created a bestiary using found tiles as supports
- Maluta's work addresses adaptation, hybridization, and human-animal boundaries
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Maluta
- Michele Tiberio
- Michela Eremita
- Susanna Ravelli
- Maura Banfo
- Elena El Asmar
- Michele Guido
- Sophie Ko
- Francesco Lauretta
- Valeria Manzi
- Concetta Modica
- Pierluigi Pusole
- Martina Marolda
Institutions
- Fondazione MPS
- Associazione Culture Attive
- Fondazione Merz
- Artribune
- Palazzo Pratellesi
- Grand Tour en Italie
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- San Gimignano
- Lovere
- Torino
- Siena
- Kurdistan
- Middle East