by InTrieste
In a city known for its rich cultural heritage and its unique position as a crossroads between Western and Eastern Europe, the unveiling of Towards You—an expansive site-specific installation by the Italian artistic duo Bianco-Valente—has brought contemporary art into the historical heart of Trieste. The piece, which was revealed on Friday at the Park of Miramare Castle, marks the beginning of a new artistic initiative titled Miramare Contemporanea, a series designed to integrate modern creativity into one of Italy’s most beloved historic landmarks.
Set against the backdrop of Barcolana, the world’s largest sailing regatta, Towards You aims to engage in a dialogue between the city’s storied past and its vibrant present. The installation, over six meters long and crafted from painted iron, invites viewers to reflect on the connections between people, nature, and space. Positioned at one of the most scenic points in the castle’s park, the artwork bridges the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape with the historical significance of the city.
Bianco-Valente, the artistic duo composed of Giovanna Bianco and Pino Valente, are known for their work exploring the relationship between humanity and the environment. Their installation at Miramare is no different. Trieste, with its layers of history, serves as the perfect context for this reflection. Towards You—translated from the Italian title Verso di te—symbolically gestures towards the viewer, asking how our environments shape us, how we shape them in return, and how these interactions are recorded in the landscape and in memory.
The opening of Towards You is not just an isolated event; it signals the launch of the broader Miramare Contemporaneaproject. Curated by Melania Rossi and organized by MondoMostre and CoopCulture, the initiative will host its first full exhibition starting December 6. The exhibition will delve deeper into the themes of human and environmental interaction, exploring these ideas through a diverse range of contemporary artists. Miramare Castle, an iconic blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and medieval architecture, will serve as the stage for this reflection, creating a space for contemplation that transcends time.
“Trieste has always been a city at the crossroads of cultures and ideas,” said Andreina Contessa, Director of the Historical Museum and Park of Miramare Castle, during the opening ceremony. “With Towards You, we aim to extend this dialogue into the future, bringing the language of contemporary art to a place deeply rooted in history.”
Melania Rossi, curator of the upcoming exhibition, echoed these sentiments. “This project is about merging the past with the present, inviting the public to reflect on the spaces they inhabit, both physically and emotionally.”
The timing of the installation’s debut during Barcolana is no coincidence. The annual regatta, which brings sailors and spectators from across the globe, serves as a natural complement to Bianco-Valente’s artistic exploration of interconnectedness—between people, places, and traditions. Mitja Gialuz, President of Barcolana, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “Barcolana is not just about the sea; it’s about Trieste’s place in the world. It’s fitting that an artwork so deeply rooted in the idea of connection debuts at this time.”
As Towards You ushers in a new era of contemporary engagement at Miramare Castle, it also invites visitors to look beyond the familiar and embrace the evolving narrative of a city constantly in dialogue with its past, its environment, and its future.
The full exhibition at Miramare Castle’s stables will be open to the public starting December 6, 2024.
