The non-profit organization, “Panzano Arte” is pleased to announce the first edition of its festival, which will present the sculptures of the French artist Nathalie Decoster,
in the heart of the Chianti region, Italy.

22 June Giugno
18 September Settembre
2019
Panzano Arte

An art trail in Tuscany with Nathalie Decoster

Panzano Arte is proud to present the first edition of its art trail in the heart of the Italian Chianti region. It features 30 monumental sculptures and 3 very large format photos by French artist Nathalie Decoster set in a scenography created by curator Mila Sturm. It runs from 22nd June
to 18th September 2019.

"The magical village of Panzano between Florence and Sienna nestles amidst the rolling hills of the Chianti. This beautiful village is the starting point for a path that winds its way between rows of cypresses and vineyards. What could possibly be better for an artist than to contribute to this breathtaking landscape with a selection of works that are both contemporary and humanist?” Nathalie Decoster

World-renowned sculptor Nathalie Decoster explores the human condition through her art, creating a universal language all of her own.

The philosophy at the heart of her work is grounded in our relationship with time and nature. She makes us aware of the value of time. The time we give and the time we receive, the time that makes the moments of our life. The title of her iconic sculpture “Le temps qui passe” is a perfect illustration of her positive vision of the passing of time, a path that allows us to attain wisdom and serenity.

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Portrait

Nathalie Decoster

Nathalie Decoster is a French artist.

Her work has enjoyed a high level of visibility, for example with the installation of 9 monumental sculptures on the Champs Elysées in 2009, 2 monumental sculptures at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport and works in the Paris Mandarin Oriental hotel.

Nathalie Decoster is an international artist, whose work can also be seen at the Museu Brasileiro de Escultura (MUBE) in Sao Paulo, in the streets of Shanghai and on the banks of Lake Como in Italy.

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AN OBVIOUS CHOICE

by curator Mila Sturm

The evening that Dario Cecchini came to ask me to help him curate Panzano Arte, I had a premonitory dream.

My dream wasn’t quite accurate chronologically: Lorenzo the Magnificent had come to Panzano in Chianti in the company of Dante Alighieri and art critic Luciano Pistoi. All three were walking down a path discovering the 21st century sculptures that were dotted around the stunning village of Panzano.

What my dream did encapsulate perfectly though, is the very essence of Panzano Arte: To present art that highlights a modern form of humanism. Works that aim to deepen our understanding of cultural and spiritual questions. Works that talk about freedom, free-thinking and human rights.

These ideas all follow in the footsteps of the values of the Renaissance. They also echo the famous exhibitions of the Eighties by eminent art critic and gallerist Luciano Pistoi in the neighbouring village of Volpaia. These exhibitions had already established a rich creative dialogue between contemporary art and the Tuscan countryside.

Nathalie Decoster is the obvious choice as the first guest artist of Panzano Arte. The modern day humanism of her work embodies all the values that are dear to Panzano Arte. Her chosen themes – as summed up in the emblematic sculpture of a stylised walking man inside a circle, “The Messenger” – address the question of the human condition and its fragility, the passing of time and the desire to reach a state of serenity.

There is also her personality: Nathalie Decoster is a nomadic artist, whose career has developed with the projects she selects with the utmost care on the basis of their meaning and impact.

 

Nathalie Decoster takes a keen interest in others. She is always seeking to share experiences. Dialogue is indeed a vital part of her approach. The idea of thinking things through together, of moving forwards, of venturing into unknown territories. She is a free spirit and has a lot in common with the humanists of the Renaissance.
And finally, I admit that the idea of inviting a woman to be the standard bearer of this first edition was an added bonus.

I’d like to thank Nathalie from the bottom of my heart for having accepted this invitation to the first edition of Panzano Arte. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better artist to represent the event.

Portrait

Dario Cecchini

Panzano Arte is Dario Cecchini’s life-long dream. He is also the event’s proud ambassador.
Dario Cecchini was born in Panzano in Chianti (Tuscany) in 1955. The Cechinis have been butchers from father to son for 8 generations. Dario has a deeply humanist approach to the butcher’s trade, which he has raised to an art form. Often described as a “butcher-poet”, Dario tirelessly defends the values of craftsmanship and quality.
The family butcher shop plays a central role in the life of Panzano. It has also become a must-see destination for visitors to the region.

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The village of Panzano in Chianti

The Tuscan village of Panzano in Chianti is nestled in the hills between Florence and Sienna. It is surrounded by vines and cypress that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Since the Renaissance, the village has enjoyed an international reputation as a bastion of artistic, spiritual and environmental values.

Tuscany is a region of beautiful rolling landscapes that were immortalised in the mythical paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, and the birthplace of many artists. Panzano is famous all over the world for its vineyards that boast exceptional soils and climate.

Panzano Arte’s art trail of Nathalie Decoster’s statues reflects the longstanding symbiosis between nature and art in Tuscany.

The estates partnering with Panzano Arte

30 sculptures and 3 very large format photos by Nathalie Decoster feature on this art trail that starts off in the heart of the village of Panzano before continuing through the Tuscan landscape to visit the 4 vineyards that are partnering with the exhibition. Located on the outskirts of the village, these estates will open their doors to the public during the exhibition: Fontodi, Tenuta Casenuove, Renzo Marinai and La Massa.

  • Fontodi
  • La Massa
  • Renzo Marinai
  • Tenuta Casenuove
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