Mirco Marino wins Rocca Aldobrandesca curatorial call with 'Osservatorio Mormorii'
Curator Mirco Marino (born 1994, Prato) won the first open call for contemporary art exhibitions at the Rocca Aldobrandesca in Piancastagnaio, Siena. His project 'Osservatorio Mormorii', co-developed with art historian Antonella Nicola, will open in mid-January 2026. The 12th-century tower, in perfect condition except for damaged battlements, previously hosted Ludus (2024) curated by Alessandro Bellucci. Marino's selection includes works by Francesca Banchelli, Francesco Carone, Rä di Martino, and Namsal Siedlecki. Marino, known for his work at the Castello di Ama collection and collaborations with Italian galleries and foundations, aims to reactivate small towns through contemporary art. The Rocca, originally defensive, later a prison under the Bourbon del Monte family, was restored in the 20th century. Marino's curatorial approach emphasizes time and mediation, influenced by his thesis on Renato Barilli's 2017 re-enactment of the 1972 Biennale at Centro Pecci. The project may include artist-made banners for the city.
Key facts
- Mirco Marino (Prato, 1994) won the first open call for contemporary art exhibitions at Rocca Aldobrandesca, Piancastagnaio (Siena).
- Project 'Osservatorio Mormorii' co-curated with art historian Antonella Nicola opens mid-January 2026.
- Artists: Francesca Banchelli, Francesco Carone, Rä di Martino, Namsal Siedlecki.
- Rocca Aldobrandesca is a 12th-century tower in perfect condition, previously hosted Ludus (2024) by Alessandro Bellucci.
- Marino works at Castello di Ama collection and has collaborated with Chiara Bettazzi (TAI), Daniela De Lorenzo, Galleria Christian Stein.
- Marino co-curated 'Innesti' on Pippa Bacca at Palazzo Morando, Milan with Rosalia Pasqualino di Marineo.
- The call was exclusively for curators under 35, announced by culture assessor Pierluigi Piccini.
- Rocca history: Aldobrandeschi family, then Orsini, Republic of Siena, Florence, Medici (prison), Lorena, 20th-century restorations.
Entities
Artists
- Mirco Marino
- Antonella Nicola
- Francesca Banchelli
- Francesco Carone
- Rä di Martino
- Namsal Siedlecki
- Alessandro Bellucci
- Renato Barilli
- Arcangeli
- Chiara Bettazzi
- Daniela De Lorenzo
- Jannis Kounellis
- Dieter Schwarz
- Matteo Pericoli
- Pippa Bacca
- Rosalia Pasqualino di Marineo
- Pierluigi Piccini
Institutions
- Rocca Aldobrandesca
- Castello di Ama
- Centro Pecci
- Officina Giovani
- TAI – Tuscan Art Industry
- Galleria Christian Stein
- Pirelli HangarBicocca
- Steidl
- Amnesty Italia
- Art for human rights
- Palazzo Morando
- DAMS di Bologna
- Abbazia di San Salvatore
- Repubblica di Siena
- Firenze
- Medici
- Marchesi Bourbon del Monte
- Lorena
- Artribune
Locations
- Piancastagnaio
- Siena
- Italy
- Tuscany
- Prato
- Bologna
- Milan
- Monte Amiata
- Rome