Gucci Prospettive 3: Italiane Ancora – A Tribute to Italian Women Artists
Under the leadership of Sabato De Sarno, Gucci’s creative director, ‘Prospettive 3: Italiane Ancora’ is a tribute to the cultural heritage and contributions of Italian women artists to the arts. By bringing together the works and muses of 40 young Italian women artists, this project stands out as a unique work that celebrates the role of women in Italian art and culture and establishes an intergenerational dialogue.
Curated by Eva Fabbris and Giovanna Manzotti, the project is a reflection of Gucci’s quest to explore the relationship between fashion, art and culture. Eva Fabbris, director of the Madre Museum in Naples, focuses on exploring artists’ contemporary sensibilities through visual arts. By sharing their thoughts on the figures that have influenced them, the artists establish a connection between generations. Through portraits, texts and images, the book offers the opportunity to explore the contribution of women to Italian art from past to present.
‘Prospettive 3: Italiane Ancora,’ the third book in Gucci’s “Prospettive” series, provides a platform to explore the intersection of fashion and art. The book is published by Contrasto and is the latest instalment in a series that Sabato De Sarno describes as ‘Gucci Prospettive’ as a tool of observation that celebrates creativity and endures over time. The iconic stories of the women artists featured in the book focus on unique creative journeys through real-life inspired works.
Examples such as Dadamaino’s inventive surfaces, Carla Accardi’s colour repetitions and Matilde Cassani’s two-dimensional works highlight the historical influence of women on Italian art and culture. Under the leadership of Sabato De Sarno, this project aims to create a ‘mosaic’ between the artists and establish a continuous dialogue between influences and inspirations. According to Eva Fabbris’ definition, “Italiane ANCORA” is not a “pantheon, but a portrait of many faces”. In the book, artists under the age of 40 were asked to discover their own muses and re-evaluate their connections with leading figures in the art world.
The artists’ approaches to motherhood and their sources of inspiration are utilised in the project as a way of creating an aesthetic and political genealogy. The structure of the book takes the reader on a journey full of surprises on every page, as the names of the inspirations are not explicitly mentioned, allowing for the gathering of timeless names such as Carla Accardi, Dadamaino, Patrizia Cavalli, Margherita Hack, Antonia Jannone, Lia Rumma, Lina Mangiacapre and Emma Dante.
The content of the book also functions as a ‘map’ between the artists, highlighted by bookmarks designed by Matilde Cassani that speak of ‘community and standardisation’. The works of artists such as Liliana Cavani, Antonia Pozzi, Silvia Costa, Alice Visentin, Lina Bo Bardi, Mia Martini, Muna Mussie, among others, appear between the pages, creating a unique cultural dialogue. The artists share their stories, influences and creative journeys, revealing the contribution of women to Italian art and culture.
The project was launched in a special corner of Milan’s historic Hoepli Bookshop from 19 to 21 September. This event was an important step towards amplifying the voices of the participating artists and promoting the importance of their cultural heritage.
