Siena's hidden artist stones: Tempo Zulu public art project expands

Since 2004, the Tempo Zulu public art project has embedded ten decorated stones into Siena's stone pavement, created by artists, writers, musicians, chefs, intellectuals, and politicians. The project was conceived by artist-curators Francesco Carone, Gregorio Galli, Bernardo Giorgi, and Christian Posani, who donated all works to the Municipality of Siena. The stones are placed in locations chosen by their authors, inspired by the city. Notable participants include chef Mario Avallone (piazza Matteotti), Iain Chambers and Lidia Curti (piazzetta Grassi), Alfredo Pirri (via dei Servi), Luca Pancrazzi (piazza del Duomo), Michele Dantini (piazzetta Silvio Gigli), Fabrizio Prevedello (via Stalloreggi), Erich Gongrich (Porta Camollia), Filippo Frosini (vicolo della Fortuna), Anri Sala (piazza Antonio Gramsci), and Loris Cecchini (piazza San Giovanni). Cecchini's work, inaugurated in December 2023, is the first to extend outside Siena, with a second element placed in piazza Garibaldi, Sinalunga, supporting its candidacy as Italian Capital of Culture. The project deliberately avoids publicity, relying on word-of-mouth and collaboration with Siena's 17 contrade and tour guides. Two new stones are in production.