Sirmione, one of the gems of Lake Garda, continues to be a reference point for art and culture. The recent exhibition “Back to PIETRA&Co.” once again highlighted how this location can serve as a crossroads for contemporary artists and art enthusiasts.
The Event and the Protagonists
Massimo Tedeschi, a well-known journalist from Brescia with an impressive resume that includes roles such as editor-in-chief at Corriere della Sera, was among the protagonists of the exhibition’s inauguration. Tedeschi, who has published over 180 works and is a professor at the Catholic University of Brescia, wrote an in-depth analysis of this cultural event. He emphasizes how Sirmione has always had a special connection with artists, dating back to the time of the Latin poet Gaius Valerius Catullus.
A Revisited Historical Connection
In his article, Tedeschi recalls how Sirmione has been celebrated by numerous writers and poets throughout the centuries. Distinguished authors such as Heyse, Pound, Swinburne, and D’Annunzio have found inspiration in this location. However, it is in the last twenty years that the combination of art and Sirmione has regained new life thanks to the work of Lillo Marciano. Marciano was able to perceive the potential of contemporary art in this unique context.
Lillo Marciano’s Legacy
According to Tedeschi, Lillo Marciano had the intuition that sculpture, installations, and video art could create new emotional connections with the local and international audience. Even two years after his passing, his vision continues to positively influence the artistic landscape of Sirmione.
Artworks on Display
Among the artworks exhibited in the “Back to PIETRA&Co.” exhibition, one stands out: the piece by artist Dorothy Bhawl titled “Serva me, servabo te.” This installation is located at the Spiaggia delle Muse and is an integral part of the exhibition path. Claudia Farina, a writer and expert on Catharism, was also present alongside Bhawl.
The exhibition represents not only a cultural event but also a celebration of Sirmione’s unique ability to bridge the gap between the past and the present in the field of visual arts.
Italian Version