San Gimignano is famous as the Tuscan city of Medieval skyscrapers, a place where nobles competed in building the highest towers. While the town was once full of these extraordinary architectural gems, only a few examples exist today and they are the attraction that most immediately go to see when visiting the city. However, if you have found a luxury villa in San Gimignano and are taking a closer look at all this picturesque and historic gem has to offer then we suggest you also look past the ancient and iconic and see what is happening in the contemporary world of art and design and the here and now because, among those winding Medieval streets, you will find one of the world’s most respected contemporary art galleries.
The Galleria Continua is very much the definition of a hidden gem, something one would never expect in an old cinema in the historic core of San Gimignano but is definitely a gem nonetheless. Founded in 1990 by three friends, Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi, and Maurizio Rigillo, the gallery has grown in scale and reputation in the thirty years since its inauguration and now also has locations in Les Moulins (just outside Paris), Havana (Cuba), Beijing (China), and Rome. Having showcased works by globally-renowned talents like Ai Weiwei, Ethel Adnan, The Kabakovs, and Michelangelo Pistoletto, it truly is an extraordinary gallery to stumble across in a small town!
The Galleria Continua is very much the definition of a hidden gem, something one would never expect in an old cinema in the historic core of San Gimignano but is definitely a gem nonetheless. Founded in 1990 by three friends, Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi, and Maurizio Rigillo, the gallery has grown in scale and reputation in the thirty years since its inauguration and now also has locations in Les Moulins (just outside Paris), Havana (Cuba), Beijing (China), and Rome. Having showcased works by globally-renowned talents like Ai Weiwei, Ethel Adnan, The Kabakovs, and Michelangelo Pistoletto, it truly is an extraordinary gallery to stumble across in a small town!
The San Gimignano, and original, branch of the Galleria Continua is made up of both a main space and also a smaller annex space that is close by and hosts an exciting calendar of temporary exhibitions. The current exhibition on show is, “Le Sirene di Armando Testa,” and showcases the work of Armando Testa (1917-1992), who was an Italian graphic designer, cartoonist, animator, and painter. After founding a large and successful graphic design studio, he took on lots of varied projects for large-scale clients and even designed the logo for the 1960 Olympics. In the exhibition that is being showcased in the Galleria Continua at the moment (continuing until the 20th of September 2020), we are presented with some of his much more artistic work rather than his corporate commissions. A combination of photographs and playful sculptural pieces, the exhibition re-imagines items of food in fantastical ways; sculptures of lemon light bulbs, prancing horses made from green beans, giant bronze walnuts, and photographs of an armchair draped in prosciutto, dancing figures made from chills, and columns made from Gorgonzola, to name but a few examples.
Always showcasing the most intriguing, engaging, and surprising works by some of the leading modern and contemporary artists from all around the globe, the Galleria Continua is a truly unexpected gem that one would not imagine at the heart of this picture-perfect medieval town. Unexpected as it may be, and easy to miss if you weren't aware of its existence, this charming gallery is a definite must-see for any self-respecting art-lover who has found a luxury villa in San Gimignano or a luxury villa in Tuscany and happens to find themselves spending time in the area. While the region of Tuscany is home to some of the most famous galleries and works of art in the entire world, this type of gallery is where art is still alive and shifting and offers a different way to experience and engage with art. Go and seek out those grand old museums and iconic works of art but, if you really love exploring the creative endeavours of extraordinary artists, then be sure to also visit the Galleria Continua while you are in San Gimignano.