Jan Fabre's 'Spiritual Guards' Exhibition Spans Three Florentine Landmarks
In Florence, a significant retrospective titled 'Spiritual Guards' by Flemish artist Jan Fabre, born in Antwerp in 1958, is on display at Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and Forte Belvedere. Showcasing roughly 100 pieces created between 1978 and 2016, the exhibition, curated by Joanna De Vos and Melania Rossi, will be open until October 2, 2016. Fabre's work delves into themes of transformation and the bond between humans and animals, prominently featuring beetle elytra. Among the highlighted pieces is 'Searching for Utopia' (2003), a turtle located in Piazza della Signoria, which has sparked both tourist fascination and debate, prompting an online petition for its removal. In response, Fabre staged a nighttime performance. Florence is increasingly recognized as a center for contemporary art, echoing the motto of Cosimo I de' Medici: 'festina lente.'
Key facts
- Jan Fabre is a Flemish artist, choreographer, set designer, and theater director born in 1958 in Antwerp.
- The exhibition 'Spiritual Guards' is held across Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Forte Belvedere in Florence.
- Approximately one hundred works from 1978 to 2016 are displayed, including sculptures, installations, and performance videos.
- The exhibition is curated by Joanna De Vos and Melania Rossi.
- Beetle elytra are a recurring material in Fabre's sculptures and installations at Palazzo Vecchio.
- Forte Belvedere hosts bronze and wax works along with videos of historical performances.
- The work 'Searching for Utopia' (2003), a large turtle, is installed in Piazza della Signoria.
- An online petition called for the removal of Fabre's statues due to environmentalist concerns over animal use.
- Fabre responded to the controversy with a long nocturnal performance in Piazza della Signoria.
- The exhibition runs until October 2, 2016.
- The show is organized by MUS.E Firenze.
Entities
Artists
- Jan Fabre
Institutions
- MUS.E Firenze
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Forte Belvedere
- Piazza della Signoria
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Antwerp
- Belgium
- Piazza della Signoria
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Forte Belvedere