Annunciate le NEW ENTRIES tra i Guests of Honour e i Progetti Speciali della Florence Biennale

After unveiling the first names of the Guests of Honour and Special Projects, the Florence Biennale announces the latest NEW ENTRIES that will take part in the XV edition, scheduled from October 18 to 26, 2025, at the historic venue of Fortezza da Basso in Florence.

Under the central theme of this edition, "The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness. Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design," invited artists will explore the profound complexities of the dualism between light and darkness, opposites that attract and complement each other, highlighting the connections and disconnections between these two elements. Among the prestigious confirmed names are:

LIKU MARIA TAKAHASHI, a Japanese painter, sculptor, designer, art scholar and teacher, as well as a martial arts master. The artist will receive the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Award from the President of the Florence Biennale 2025 and will present the grand project "If Jonathan Livingston Seagull were a Passing Bird," a participatory live painting with the public. To represent the symbolism of oneness, Takahashi is inspired by the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull for its strong moral message and explains: "To reach distant lands, migratory birds fly in flocks for many days, without sleeping and crossing the impenetrable darkness of night. Their vision does not allow them to see through the darkness of the night. However, by continuing to fly together as a group, they manage to reach their destination. Just as migratory birds manage to travel great distances to a safe land by flying in flock, we humans should also become one to reach a better future together." The project is implemented according to the Maris method, the first painting method in the world designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of visual ability and age. The artist says: "Maris is an art form that I invented to allow blind people to appreciate paintings alongside sighted people. The images are made with sand. The grains of sand are arranged together to form a painting, and each grain embodies hope for the future."

In order to remember one of the most significant Argentine illustrators of the twentieth century, the Florence Biennale pays tribute to MARCELO MAYORGA with a dedicated exhibition and the awarding of the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award "In Memoriam." Skilled at combining formal perfection with profound ethical and social inquiry, Mayorga stood out in the Argentine art scene, merging refined technical virtuosity with powerful narrative and critical charge. His oeuvre, dominated by a sure stroke and mastery of chiaroscuro, oscillates between metaphorical realism and poignant irony. His works depict emblematic scenes: human figures coming together in anonymous communities, silent architectures, light aircraft—symbols of wars, social malaise, and historical transitions—often immersed in a poetic and tense twilight. His keen gaze and masterly technique make each of his works a focal point of reflection on the human condition.

CHAO GE, renowned contemporary Chinese artist known for his mastery in painting and color research, a leader of spiritual painting in Chinese art circles. His works stand out for their spirituality, emotional richness, and pronounced sensitivity, expressing the psychological trauma, loss, and inner conflicts of a complex era, along with the reflection and suffering that derive from them.

His art embodies the poetic beauty of Eastern landscapes but, at the same time, touches on the difficulties, spiritual confusion, and human suffering of the 20th century. Chao Ge distinguishes himself from the widespread discursive context of his era, proposing a clear vision while remaining apart from the mainstream. His works are not tainted by the absurdity, eccentricity, or extreme egoism of the 20th century but manifest a firm belief in the essence of things and a positive humanistic spirit. The artist believes that the great function of painting lies in drawing people's perception of things, from superficial narrative to inner essence. When asked what his creative goal was, he once stated: "To restore people's respect for things."

GREGORIO LUKE has given thousands of conferences in the United States, Mexico, Europe, China, and South America. Elena Poniatowska, the most important living author in Mexico, says: "Gregorio Luke gives the most extraordinary lectures that can be seen on Earth." According to Agustín Gurza of the LA Times: "Gregorio Luke speaks as if he had had a vision. His listeners cannot help but see it too."

At the Florence Biennale, he will hold two conferences exploring the theme of this edition – Light and Darkness – dedicating the first to REMBRANDT, Dutch painter and printmaker, master of chiaroscuro, and the second to DAVID ALFARO SIQUEIROS, revolutionary in life and innovator in art.

- REMBRANDT – Wednesday, October 22, 6:00 PM
Gregorio Luke will delve into Rembrandt's world, shedding light on his tumultuous life and magnificent art. Light and darkness are the very essence of Rembrandt's art: with these elements, he captured human expressiveness like no other artist.

- DAVID ALFARO SIQUEIROS – Saturday, October 25, 5:00 PM
This conference by Gregorio Luke will highlight numerous aspects that today's young artists can learn from Siqueiros. In fact, David Alfaro Siqueiros was a master of duality: he was a soldier and an artist. He fought in the Mexican Revolution and the Spanish Civil War and painted impactful murals. Siqueiros greatly influenced contemporary art, from abstract expressionism to pop art and Chicano art.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Alongside the screening of important national premieres, among the significant special projects of the XV edition of the Florence Biennale stands out "FLORENT IN AURO. JEWELS FOR THE GOLDEN ROSE OF PIUS II," an exhibition curated by Prof. Paolo Torriti, Director of the Executive Master in History, Design and Marketing of Jewelry at the University of Siena – Arezzo Campus. On display will be the drawings and development of some jewelry ideas created by the Master's students inspired by the theme The Golden Rose, donated in 1458 by Pope Pius II to the city of Siena and currently preserved in the Civic Museum of the same Tuscan city.

For the first time in the history of the Florence Biennale, thanks to collaboration with LOQI, which will create the exhibition's limited edition shopper, a contest will be activated in which LOQI will award a special prize to an artist: the winner will have the opportunity to create their own shopper, which will then be sold in LOQI's museum circuit.

For more information about the program of the XV edition of the Florence Biennale visit the website https://www.florencebiennale.org/