Pietro Gaglianò

To study contemporary art is the best way to study the present world. The history of the last century, the latest global and local issues, and cultural and social changes are all anticipated or reflected by the work of artists. That is why my goal is to create a discussion field, starting from the art vision (and its internal debate) to reach a wider awareness of contemporary citizenship.

Pietro Gaglianò (1975) is based in Florence, Italy. He is an art critic, educator, and independent curator devoted to the knowledge and analysis of contemporary visual culture. His main areas of interest include urban, architectural, and social contexts as stages for contemporary artistic practices, and the interaction between the arts and political issues. He experiments with hybrid forms between art and education, using creative languages to combat discrimination and increase social awareness.

Gaglianò’s most recent book, The Emancipation of the World: Suzanne Lacy and the Form of Community, explores the pedagogy of the Californian artist in public performances. The English version of this book was produced with the support of SRISA. Among his publications is Memento: The Obsession with the Visible (Italian/English, Postmedia Books, Milan 2016), a reflection on collective memory as an act of resistance, its relationship with political power, and the role of contemporary art in shaping an aware society. He has curated special issues and written numerous essays on monuments and public memory. Another significant work is La sintassi della libertà (Gli Ori, 2020), a comprehensive inquiry into the potential for empowerment through art and pedagogy.

Since 2000, Gaglianò has been engaged in extensive research, writing criticism, curating, and event planning. He has collaborated with public and private institutions to create projects, exhibitions, and workshops. Since 2011 he has curated and managed Scripta, l’arte a parole, a series of lectures, performances, and artist residencies focused on contemporary art in its relationship with social issues. Since 2018, he has curated and managed Stand Up for Africa, a hub of experimental practices related to art and human rights.