Palazzo delle Papesse Reopens in Siena with Major Julio Le Parc Exhibition

After 16 years of closure or underuse, the Palazzo delle Papesse in Siena has reopened following its acquisition by Opera Laboratori from the Banca d'Italia for over five million euros. The 15th-century building, designed by Bernardo Rossellino and also known as Palazzo Piccolomini, has undergone extensive restoration throughout summer 2024 to upgrade facilities and add new spaces, including a tuff cellar. The inaugural exhibition, "Julio Le Parc. The discovery of perception," runs from September 13, 2024, to March 16, 2025. It is the most comprehensive solo show of the Argentine kinetic art pioneer (born 1928) ever held in Italy, featuring over 80 works spanning sixty years. Curated by Marcella Beccaria in dialogue with the artist and his studio's artistic director Yamil Le Parc, the exhibition includes participation from Galleria Continua. The display is organized thematically rather than chronologically, with works mostly from Le Parc's studio in Cachan, France, dating from 1968 to the present. A notable piece is "Sphere verte" (2016), a suspended green plexiglass installation at the entrance. Opera Laboratori CEO Beppe Costa dedicated the exhibition to Daniele Petrucci. The new cultural hub will also host exclusive events, educational activities, a children's area, a bookshop, and a bistrot.