A high end art gallery has relocated from Milan to an exclusive historical building in the centre of Todi. The Giampaolo Abbondio Gallery was inaugurated in Todi in June 2021 following its owner’s quick and unexpected decision. Abbondio himself explained his reasons for this change in a letter. An event that contributes immensely to the prestige and visibility of Todi and that confirms its centrality, also in terms of the contemporary art sector.
Giampaolo Abbondio in Todi
Giampaolo Abbondio has been an important gallery owner in Milan for over 20 years. The choice to move to Todi was made following the spread of the pandemic, as he explains in a letter. “When the danger of Covid19 changed from a threat to reality – explains Abbondio – many things changed for us and for all of you, in our specific case it began by having to postpone all of our events, and then resigning to having to cancel everything due to force majeure”. Shortly after this ‘stop’ a proposal arrived, which soon turned out to be an interesting opportunity for the gallery owner. In a video message, artist Matteo Basilé showed him a space in Todi that was ideal for a gallery: Palazzo Atti Pensi.
“Under normal circumstances I would have told him the idea was not feasible (I don’t even have a driver’s licence!), I was surprised to hear myself immediately say that I would take it – continues the gallery owner – our imprisonment gave me back the freedom to dream, which I thought I had lost. In my life, every time I have made revolutionary decisions to my habits, I have done it without being aware of the reason. Therefore, if you are wondering why I decided to move the Gallery from Milan to Todi, the answer is simple, I had a brainwave! When I went to see it for the first time (all of this happened without me ever setting a foot in Todi) my brainwave turned into love at first sight, the beauty of the town, its historical centre, the surrounding nature and last but not least, the marvel of the gallery made me fall desperately in love, I had an epiphany, I realised I had taken the right path”.
Palazzo Atti Pensi was built during the 16th century by Viviano degli Atti, a member of one of the oldest and most powerful families of Todi. It is located on the right side of Piazza Garibaldi, right in the historical centre, with an amazing view of the valley below, especially over the cypress of Garibaldi, planted by the Hero of the Two Worlds when crossing the hill of Todi. The elegant façade, the majestic courtyard, the frescoed walls make it particularly rich in fascination.
“I realised – wrote Abbondio – that this place was perfect for what we live of, art requires stillness and reflection, to be seen in an environment that is fitting, beauty brings out beauty, silence brings out music, poetry brings out love: in Todi there are no apartment building association meetings, parent-teacher interviews, personal trainers… there is only the luxury of time that we allow ourselves to dedicate to our passion. Therefore I welcome the distance from our everyday life full of commitments, the Gallery invites you to give yourself the gift of quality time, visit the natural and artistic beauty of Umbria, share friendly times with us. To discover the original works that we exhibit: the first step after taking the Gallery was, in fact, creating a residence for the artists, where they could create in freedom, to continue their research and originality that has always been our distinguishing feature.”
The Giampaolo Abbondio Gallery
The Giampaolo Abbondio Gallery was founded in 2001 with the name Galleria PACK, dedicated to emerging and established, Italian and international artists. The exhibitions over the years revealed an interest for the body in its various representations, a preference for large installations that involve the spectator, video installations and creations made using new technologies. Foreign relations also made it possible to turn the spaces of the Giampaolo Abbondio Gallery into spaces of exchange between cultures that also translate into various publications. In 2005, the gallery put on “My Rome”, a singing performance of artist Zhang Huan at the Musei Capitolini of Rome. Over the years many of the artists established themselves nationally and internationally, some even partook at the Biennale di Venezia.
For more information and updates on the gallery: www.giampaoloabbondio.com.
Photo credit: official website
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