Florence Dance Festival & The Ascent of Orpheus

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Until October 11: Adi Da Samraj – The Ascent of Orpheus Exhibition. Bargello Museum, Via del Proconsolo 4, Florence. Open Monday – Sunday, 8:15 am – 5 pm. Closed the first, third and fifth Monday of each month. Museum entrance + show: €4 (reduced €2).

For the first time in its history, the National Bargello Museum of Florence is hosting a contemporary exhibition, “The Ascent of Orpheus: Between and Beyond Representation and Abstraction,” which showcases the late contemporary artist, Adi Da Samraj. This presentation features one-of-a-kind works created by the artist with specific instructions in 2007.

Throughout his lifetime, Adi Da explored new forms of digital technology, producing complex and sophisticated images. As seen in the exhibits, he created abstract narratives that loosely represent the ancient myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, given great meaning through the use of colors and shapes.

Florence is a fitting setting for this artist’s work because he was particularly fascinated with Brunelleschi’s linear perspective. Adi Da, instead, based his artwork on what he referred to as “aperspectival,” or having no perspective. The contrast of the two opposite techniques, as well as the modern with the ancient, creates a compelling dynamic.

Adding to its appeal, the work of Adi Da is co-sponsored by the Florence Dance Festival and Da Plastique Foundation and will be an integral part of a multimedia production on July 9, 10, and 11 at 9:30 pm. The dancers will perform a piece surrounded by the artwork, choreographed by Keith Ferrone, that was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy entitled “Divina.Com,” and which marks the beginning of the month-long festival.

For more information on the artist visit www.TheAscentofOrpheus.org or www.DaPlastique.com; or on the Florence Dance Festival, www.florencedance.org. (angela karl)