Fernando is proud to contribute to the Florence Biennale 2023 with work created specifically for this edition, a major contemporary art event in Florence (Italy), now in its XIVth edition. The challenge of bringing contemporary art in the cradle of Renaissance is an occasion to create a prestigious exhibition moment for the international contemporary art production.
At the end of each edition of the Florence Biennale an International jury composed of distinguished scholars, art historians and critics from different countries confer the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” International Award to the best exhibiting artists for their works on show. Added to this, the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Lifetime Achievement Award is conferred to individuals and institutions who have reached pinnacles of artistic achievement or stood out for their contribution to culture.
Amongst the award recipients of the past editions, mention should be made of Marina Abramović (2009), Gustavo Aceves (2019), Refik Anadol (2019), Sauro Cavallini (in memoriam, 2017), David Hockey (2003), Christo and Jeanne-Claude (2005), Ferrari & Pininfarina (2003), Gilbert & George (2007), Arata Isozaki (2017), Anish Kapoor (2013), Michelangelo Pistoletto (2021), Oliviero Toscani (2021) and Franco Zeffirelli (2019).
Fernando’s work “I am You” responds to this year’s theme focusing on the concepts of individual and collective identities, in their multiple philosophical, psychological, sociological and cultural meanings. On the one hand, in fact, the concept of identity can be associated with the characteristics that distinguish us from others as unique and unrepeatable individuals (think about our personal data and our genetic heritage). On the other hand, identity is linked to the need to belong to one or more groups (or communities) which helps to define the way we are perceived by ourselves and by others (see the image and more background info below).
Individual and collective identities, on the other hand, can be considered as two continuously intertwined perspectives, which only together allow us to understand who we are or who we want to be. The theme of the XIV Florence Biennale therefore embraces an integrated perspective, considering the personal and social spheres as two sides of the same medal: a medal forged from a feeling that pushes us, in the search for our “I”, to confront ourselves with others, through interaction, exchange, sharing and empathy. In this sense, we intend to emphasize the inner change that accompanies us, experience after experience, throughout the course of our life.