Some words from Acicastello's mare Silvestra Raimondo.

Too much often Southern Italy is just considered a mine of classical and archaeological treasuries; but this attitude overlooks the fact that “all art has been contemporary art” and, thus, that local institutions should responsibly take care of ongoing visual research and especially of those who embody tomorrow's promises, i.e., emerging artists. This is the very reason why, beside some who are already recognized, < Art and South. contemporary goal> shows many younger artists: their work is most interesting since it will teach us where visual research is going; and more than anybody else, they need institutional support, the same support that maecenas granted through Renaissance, and the industrial bourgeoisie through the nineteen hundred century.

This duty has been enthusiastically embraced by my Administration, that has chosen the Norman Castle and Villa Fortuna to give the artists the best settings to express their creativity and offer its fruits to our territory. Indeed, many of their works could be realized, or adapted, to the two historical museums, to be sure very different from each other, though equally apt as <nests> for the youngest art.

Be that as it may, it will of course be very exciting to meet so many professionals from all parts of the country and with such diverse experiences, though united in the GAI network, the Italian Young

Silvestra Raimondo

Sindaco di Acicastello