Riva: Public Art Project Aims to Reconnect Florence with the Arno River

Valentina Gensini, the artistic director behind the Riva project, has unveiled a three-year public art initiative in Florence designed to restore the connection between residents and the Arno River, which has felt detached from the city since the catastrophic flood of 1966. This endeavor aims to establish a 'river park' by engaging a diverse group of professionals, including artists, designers, biologists, anthropologists, and philosophers. The initial year will concentrate on theoretical exploration, followed by production in the following years. Key collaborators include Le Murate. Progetti Arte Contemporanea, Tempo Reale, Fondazione Studio Marangoni, Studio++, and Radio Papesse, alongside Radio Rai 3. Launched with a prologue in May 2016, the project has garnered ministerial backing and features artists like Massimo Vitali and Adrian Paci, focusing on a forward-thinking vision instead of just marking the flood's 50th anniversary.