A vocation for art

Thanks to Cristina Zuccari’s efforts, and as a result of her meeting with Adelina von Furstenberg, President of Art of the World (an NGO that promotes dialogue among people through the art), a Contemporary Art Exhibition on Lake Maggiore was created.

The exhibition stands out among the numerous initiatives created by the Borromeo Princes on their estates. For the first time this year, an art exhibition parallels the fascination of historical gardens with that of contemporary art. Thus, it is thanks to this illustrious family that art patronage, which for centuries changed the face of Lake Maggiore, has now been reborn.

This first edition in 2005.
Maestro Iannis Kounellis inaugurated the cycle of exhibitions in 2005. From the sixties on, Kounellis has represented and become a symbol of a renewal of artistic expression through techniques and strategies called povera (poor). L’isola Madre, where over the centuries the Borromeo family has been creating the most extraordinary botanical gardens, was chosen as the first staging point.

Maestro Kounellis’ visit to the Island gave rise to inspirations, both creative and original, regarding the logistics of the exhibition.
The idea came about to create an anthology of his works in carefully selected spots on the island; this close, privileged contact with nature could only exalt his art, linking it to his past works. Thus the reference made to Malevich and Mondrian, to Pollock and Kline. Kounellis’ works, destined to create wonder, now find themselves amidst the wonder of these enchanting gardens. They will be exhibited in the Gazebo and the Orange Grove, two of the loveliest and most suggestive sites on Isola Madre, conducive to meditation and tranquillity.

During the first days of the exhibition, the Grand Hotel Majestic, located directly on the shores of Lake Maggiore facing the Isola Madre, will host an artistic get-together during which art critics and art lovers alike will have the opportunity to meet and talk with Maestro Kounellis.

The exhibition continued the following year with the installation of important artists such as Robert Wilson, Liliana Moro and William Kentridge.