Milan, October 25, 2016 – Eric Wesley, a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, has been named the winner of the 2016 Artisti per Frescobaldi Award. The announcement took place at the final award ceremony on October 21st at GAM, Milan’s Gallery of Modern Art in Villa Reale, Milan. Eric Wesley won with the piece “Not Yet Titled 2016”, which was selected by an elite judging panel of Massimiliano Gioni (Artistic Director of the Trussardi Foundation of Milan), Samuel Keller (Director of the Beyeler Foundation of Basel), and Gianfranco Maraniello (Director of the MART in Rovereto). Artisti per Frescobaldi, created and directed by Tiziana Frescobaldi, and curated by Ludovico Pratesi, aims to promote contemporary art from the newest generations.
Commenting on the selection of Eric Wesley as the prize winner, the panel states: “If one possible definition of what art is the capacity to “imagine a world while being in the world”, then Wesley is most definitely an artist able to reach such an aspiration competently and romantically. Beginning with the observation of a bottle of wine, he created an object that is highly refined both scientifically and poetically, activating an invisible void to be projected, and to project us, into a shared energetic universe.”
The exhibit showcasing the three artworks created for the 2016 edition of Artisti per Frescobaldi was presented during the evening and attended by journalists and members of the Italian art community. The works will be on display for the public in the Parnaso Rooms of the Gallery until November 6, 2016.
The Award is tied to the Frescobaldi tradition of arts patronage. For over 700 years the family has cultivated relationships with the likes of Donatello, Michelozzo Michelozzi and Filippo Brunelleschi. Artisti per Frescobaldi represents the family’s commitment to support contemporary artists, and Tiziana Frescobaldi’s goal to continue the family tradition with a program that links wine to art. “I’m happy to celebrate the third edition of the Artisti per Frescobaldi award at GAM, Milan’s Gallery of Modern Art,” says Tiziana Frescobaldi, artistic director of the project. “I thank the artists for having accepted to contribute with great passion and important artworks to an award inspired by a contemporary concept of patronage.”
Following the 2012 Italian and 2014 German editions, the 2016 edition is dedicated to the United States and involved two American artists – Matthew Brannon and Eric Wesley – and one Italian artist – Patrizio di Massimo. Each artist was chosen to create an artwork inspired by CastelGiocondo, the Frescobaldi family’s historic estate in Montalcino, and the feature of all future editions of the Award. The artists interpreted the world of wine and its traditions in different ways: Matthew Brannon worked on the daily consumption of wine, Patrizio di Massimo on its conservation, and Eric Wesley on the relationship between wine, science and technology. “This Artisti per Frescobaldi Award has been witness to the creation of greatly impactful and complex pieces as well as a demonstration of truly noteworthy commitment by the artists,” says Ludovico Pratesi. “Each artist made use of a different expressive language in relation to the past, present and future. I’m truly satisfied of the results we achieved, and I believe they represent an excellent indication of what’s to come in future editions.”
To further support the Frescobaldi family’s support of the arts, Artisti per Frescobaldi has offered the museum hosting the exhibit a sponsorship for the creation of the complete catalogue of the GAM’s collection.
On October 21st, 999 limited edition magnums of CastelGiocondo Brunello featuring the three labels designed by the artists were presented to the attending guests. Proceeds from the sales of these bottles will be used in 2017 to support three young Italian students selected by prestigious art academies.
