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By Samantha Bedell
Samantha Bedell shares her experience visiting Villa Bardini in Florence. Villa Bardini is located in the Bardini Gardens and currently exhibits one permanent and two temporary exhibitions.
Villa Bardini (not to be confused with the Bardini Museum, please learn from my misunderstanding) is on the “other side” of the Arno. Located in the Bardini Gardens, this building exhibits Pietro Annigoni, a variety of artists for the children’s show, and Kang Woongu. The Villa was abnormally quiet, but expected on a beautiful Florentine day. Walking through the space, the only other people I encountered were two security guards. It was quite relaxing to have two floors to myself.
On the second floor is the Villa’s permanent exhibition by artist Pietro Annigoni. Housing many of his important works, its clear Annigoni focused much of his career on portraiture. Many of the portraits are larger than life and command the space. In the final room of Annigoni’s work, the viewer is greeted by a rather intimidating portrait of a man staring at the viewer. Behind the portrait are tattered dummies that look as if they’re simply lounging on the staircase. Personally, I found this room slightly uncomfortable, especially by myself.
The third floor displays two temporary exhibitions. The first exhibition Pinocchio Harry Potter Topolino Heidi e tutti gli altri… is seemingly aimed at children, but adults will equally enjoy the artworks. There are images inspired by Harry Potter, the Three Musketeers, and the Tortoise and the Hare. The dozens of works will remind anyone of their childhood. Down the hallway is the second temporary exhibition by Kang Woongu. The photographs were taken forty five years ago and highlight the lives of Koreans in every season before the country’s industrialization. Woongu‘s photographs provide an intimate look at a country that is completely different today.
Villa Bardini is open year round and opening hours are 10:00-19:00. The gardens are also open with varying times throughout the year. Both are absolutely worth visiting during the spring and summer when all the flowers in the garden are in bloom.
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