Sisal launches long-term Italian contemporary art project from Palermo

The Italian gaming giant Sisal has launched a long-term initiative to support contemporary Italian art, starting with the Sisal Art Place at Palazzo Drago in Palermo during Manifesta 12. The space opened on June 16, 2018, and will host exhibitions, talks, and workshops until the biennial closes on November 4. The inaugural show, 'Sguardi,' curated by Francesco Pantaleone and Mario Gorni, features 27 video works by Italian artists from the 1960s to today, including Gianfranco Baruchello, Vincenzo Agnetti, Liliana Moro, and Adrian Paci. The exhibition runs until June 30. Sisal, founded in 1946 by sports journalists to rebuild war-damaged stadiums, commissioned an Ipsos study to assess the state of Italian contemporary art, identifying a need to reposition artists at the center of the ecosystem. Pierdonato Vercellone, Sisal's Communications Director, stated that the company sees contemporary art as an Italian excellence suffering from provincialism and underinvestment compared to abroad. The partnership with Manifesta 12, where Sisal is principal partner, serves as a learning platform. In October, Sisal will announce its three-year investment plan for Italian contemporary art, developed with international curators and professionals.