Grosseto's Chelliana Library Reopens After 30 Years, Hosts Design Funzione Arte Festival
After nearly thirty years, the Biblioteca Comunale Chelliana in Grosseto has reopened its doors, thanks to a €4 million renovation. Situated in Palazzo Mensini on Via Mazzini, the library now boasts interactive spaces, conservation areas, reading rooms, and a literary garden. Its reopening aligns with the Design Funzione Arte festival, scheduled for July 8 to 10, 2024, and curated by Alessandro Corina, which will delve into themes of Design, Funzione, and Arte. Highlights include works by Eero Saarinen and Josef Hoffmann in Design, a talk by Paolo Stella in Funzione, and Giuseppe Lo Schiavo's NFT "Symbiotica" displayed at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The library's origins trace back to the late 19th century, with restoration efforts commencing in 1994 and concluding in 2024.
Key facts
- Biblioteca Comunale Chelliana reopens after nearly 30 years
- Renovation cost approximately €4 million
- Library located in Palazzo Mensini, Via Mazzini, Grosseto
- Design Funzione Arte festival runs July 8-10, 2024
- Festival curated by Alessandro Corina
- Three festival themes: Design, Funzione, Arte
- Design theme features works by Eero Saarinen, Josef Hoffmann, Marcel Breuer, Pierre Chareau, Eileen Gray, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
- Modern brands include Alivar, MyHome Collection, Mvsevm, Cava
- Paolo Stella talk moderated by Santa Nastro
- Arte theme includes NFT 'Symbiotica' by Giuseppe Lo Schiavo at Cathedral of San Lorenzo
- Palazzo Mensini built late 19th century as seminary
- 1966 flood damaged library materials
- Restoration began 1994, stalled until 2019
- Mayor Antonfrancesco Vivarelli Colonna revived project in 2019
- Renovation completed in two phases: 2018-2019 and 2023-2024
Entities
Artists
- Eero Saarinen
- Josef Hoffmann
- Marcel Breuer
- Pierre Chareau
- Eileen Gray
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
- Giuseppe Lo Schiavo
- Paolo Stella
- Alessandro Corina
- Santa Nastro
- Anna Bonelli
- Antonfrancesco Vivarelli Colonna
- Caterina Angelucci
Institutions
- Biblioteca Comunale Chelliana
- Palazzo Mensini
- Comune di Grosseto
- Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
- Artribune
- Alivar
- MyHome Collection
- Mvsevm
- Cava
Locations
- Grosseto
- Italy
- Via Mazzini
- Palazzo Mensini
- Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
- Biblioteca Comunale Chelliana