Teachers' Blog

Contemporary art exhibits on view in San Gimignano

There are three exciting exhibitions of contemporary art currently on view at Galleria Continua in San Gimignano, on view now through August 28th 2017:

  • ANTONY GORMLEY 'Co-ordinate'
  • SUBODH GUPTA 'In This Vessel Lies the Philosopher’s Stone'
  • ALEJANDRO CAMPINS 'Declaración Pública'

Immagine incorporata 1
Antony Gormley is a British artist, b. 1950 in London, whose work has been widely exhibited around the world.  His current exhibition at San Gimingnano explores and maps the body through a series of abstracted figurative sculptures as well as a massive site-specific installation entitled "Lost Horizon II" which transforms the main gallery space (formerly a cinema) into a matrix of silk-wrapped bungee cords.  Immagine incorporata 2

The visitor is invited to enter and interact with the space, with their participation also becoming part of the work.  As the title implies, the installation alters the viewer's perception of space and their field of vision, creating a fascinating optical and visceral experience.  For more info:

 http://www.galleriacontinua.com/exhibitions/exhibition/404  

Subodh Gupta is an Indian artist, b. 1964 in Khagaul, Bihar and currently based in New Delhi. His current exhibit in San Gimignano features sculptures, installations and watercolours, located in two very unique locations: one is the base of an ancient tower connected to Galleria Continua's main gallery space Via del Castello 11.  

The other is the top floor of the adjacent building, formerly a historic residence and now left in a raw unrestored state.  Immagine incorporata 5

The imagery and materials of Gupta's work connect to his roots in Indian culture, but are also very much in dialogue with the locations in San Gimigmano. For more info: http://www.galleriacontinua.com/exhibitions/exhibition/405 

Immagine incorporata 4Immagine incorporata 9


Alejandro Campins is a Cuban artist, b. 1981 in Manzanillo.   He works with a variety of media including photography, painting and drawing.  His current exhibit in San Gimignano, his first ever exhibition in Italy, features  paintings from his series “Declaración Pública”, as well as a fresco painting inspired by the work of Giotto. The work is on view in Galleria Continua's project exhibition space located at #1 Arco dei Becci.  The subjects of these works are Cuban amphitheaters, built after the revolution for the valorization of official public political discourse, activity which in recent years only takes place for select annual events. 

Immagine incorporata 11

With these public spaces falling into disuse and abandonment, they present an interesting glimpse into the complex social and political dynamics present in Cuban culture both historically as well as today.  

Immagine incorporata 10

For more info: http://www.galleriacontinua.com/exhibitions/exhibition/406
It's very easy to get to San Gimignano from Siena.  There are frequent buses every day between Siena's main downtown bus station, Piazza Gramsci, and the main city gate of San Gimignano.  You can find the schedule times at busfox.com/timetable

Lisa Nonken

Drawing Teacher