2001   BIENNALE INTERNAZIONALE DELL’ ARTE CONTEMPORANEA   III 

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page  compiled by artsceneak.com updated 09/29/05

The third edition of the Biennale dell’Arte Contemporanea took place from December 7 - 16, 2001 in the expansive exhibition spaces of the historic Fortezza da Basso in Florence.

    The Florence Biennial is a convocation of the world’s professional artists in all their diversity. One of the most important aspects of this show is the personal interaction among artists, art critics and visitors.

    The main goal of the Biennale was, in fact, to give as many talented career artists as possible the opportunity to exhibit their latest works and to make their presence felt in a panoramic survey of what’s happening at this minute. There has never been an international show with a more direct connection between the artist’s studio and the exhibition walls. The artists are selected only for the quality of their works, without any prejudice as to style, theme or school; as a result the traditional and native forms of art also receive an opportunity to appear on the international scene.

    An international panel of jurors was made prestigious by the inclusion of estimable authorities Dr Veronika Birke, Sra Matty Roca, Dr Stefano Francolini, Ms Barbara Rose, Sra Ortega Coca Teresa, Mr David S Rubin, as well as co-hosts and organizers Pasquale Celona and Piero Celona, and Biennale director Dr John T Spike.  The Jury awarded multiple Premi di Lorenzo il Magnifico medallions in Painting, Sculpture, Works on Paper, and Photography, and for other worthy purposes.

    The recognition and importance of the Florence Biennale has consistently increased since its inauguration in 1997 with 317 artists from 17 nations. In 1999, 520 artists came from 31 nations.  For 2001, more than 600 artists from 52 countries participated at Florence, including, for the first time, artists from China and Cuba. The complete list of countries and territories represented includes:        Austria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brasil, Canada, Canary Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. "  ---- excerpted from the artestudio press release page.

This list is made more dignified by the fact that my name is not on it, but I still think Seven Sisters was in a class of its own. My involvement was made possible by the enthusiasm, encouragement and support which I received. I would like to thank all of the following as well as any others who may go unmentioned:

Piero e Pasquale Celona, John Spike,  Alaska State Council on the Arts, Harry Ricker, Cliff Stevens, Howard and Diane Stevens