While there are many brilliant museums full of some of the most important pieces of art in history to be visited while on holiday in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, there is also still a vibrant contemporary art scene in the city that can be experienced in various galleries, exhibition centres, art spaces, and more throughout. However, sometimes the oldest art institutions in Florence also house lively new exhibitions that are exciting must-sees and that is certainly the case for the Palazzo Strozzi this winter, which is currently home to a wonderful showcase of the work of celebrated contemporary American artist Jeff Koons.
One of the best-known names internationally in contemporary art, Koons produces whimsical, bright, eye-catching large-scale sculpted works and paintings. His works have been displayed in major locations and museums all over the world, including Versailles and the Rockefeller Center and he has also had exhibitions and retrospectives in influential galleries globally. The Palazzo Strozzi, therefore, is a natural fit. Once the home of the noble Strozzi family, it was built between 1489 and 1538 and remained in the family until 1937. Since then, it has been the property of the city of Florence and is the largest exhibition space in the city. Within such a beautiful and historic setting, the museum showcases an ever-changing and dynamic programme of exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances, and other events each season. Even if you cannot make it in time for this wonderful exhibition of Koons’ work, therefore, a visit to the Palazzo Strozzi is always a good idea and there will always be something different and exciting to experience so do set aside some time to visit once you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are spending time exploring all that the city has to offer the discerning culture vulture.
If you are thinking about planning a getaway in Florence over the next couple of months, though, then a stop in to see the Koons exhibition is ideal. Open until the 30th of January 2022, “Jeff Koons: Shine,” is a major exhibition of a selection of the most celebrated works curated by Arturo Galansino and Joachim Pissarro that is promoted and organised by the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi with sponsors, the Comune di Firenze, Regione Toscana, Camera di Commercio di Firenze, Fondazione CR Firenze, Palazzo Strozzi Partners Committee, and the main partner, Intesa Sanpaolo. With pieces loaned from some of the most important art collections in the world, the exhibition has been designed in collaboration with Koons, the highly controversial and important figure in the world of art, himself.
The exhibition explores the idea of, “shine,” in Koons’ work, which is a purposefully ambiguous concept. “that oscillates between the dualities of being and seeming, or truth and sensation”. The sculpted pieces for which he is most famous take centre stage and literally shine with their highly reflective surfaces but they also frame the viewer in those reflections, centring them in their own experience of taking in the pieces. According to Koons, “It’s not about the object, and it’s not about the image; it’s about the viewer. That’s where the art happens.” The experience of viewing this exhibition, therefore, is potentially a chance for a more reflective engagement with artworks, should the viewer be willing.
If you are willing and want to be one of those viewers then be sure to get browsing our villas in Florence today and plan a visit to the Palazzo Strozzi and the exhibition to take in these iconic works of art for yourself while on vacation in Tuscany.
Jeff Koons – Shine
October 2nd 2021 – January 30th 2022
Palazzo Strozzi
Piazza Strozzi, 50123, Firenze
info@palazzostrozzi.org
+39 055 2645155
Opening hours:
Daily, 10am to 8pm
Thursdays, 10am to 11pm.
Tickets:
Full price €16.00
Full price + audioguide €20.00
Reduced price (those over 65, under 30, plus various cardholders for different organisations, banks etc) €13.00
Reduced price + audioguide €17.00
Children (age 6-18) €6.00
Children + audioguide €10.00
Free entry for children under 6 and disabled visitors plus their carer.
