From the confrontation with the art of Tracey Emin and her exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi comes Confession, a project addressed to the students of the main national and international art academies based in Tuscany. The project offers the opportunity to explore a research theme and is part of Microcosmo, Palazzo Strozzi’s annual magazine, which brings together the contributions of young artists, curators and graphic designers in dialogue with the cultural institution’s exhibitions. The subtitle of the 2025 edition of Microcosmo is Confession. The publication is inspired by the artistic research of Tracey Emin and revolves around the theme of confession, understood as self-exposure and honesty in art making.
What relationship exists between confession and artistic practice? What does it mean to give shape to one’s emotional life? Is art that focuses on these aspects only a showcase of interiority or can it become a tool for catharsis? Can we speak of art as a device for the liberation of the self? If confessing means exposing oneself, opening oneself up, reliving episodes from one’s life, can we confess something that does not belong to us?
And in all this, how important is honesty and truth?
The students involved in the Confession project are supported in their discovery of the exhibition Tracey Emin. Sex and Solitude, receive research materials, take part in collective review sessions and explore the theme in its many facets through direct confrontation with some of the guests. Individual paths and collective learning moments alternate in a wide-ranging educational project, which starts from art and returns to art.
Presentation of the magazine
The magazine Microcosmo – Confession will be presented on Wednesday 2 July, 6 p.m. at the Altana of Palazzo Strozzi.
Free entrance, reservation recommended.
Project realised with the support of the Hillary Merkus Recordati Foundation.
Participating in the project: Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze (professori Veronica Montanino, Marco Raffaele, Domenico Mancini), Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara (professori Elmar Giacummo, Mara Nerbano e Miriana Pino), Accademia Italiana (professori Walter Conti, Franco Fiesoli, Chiara Ruberti), California State University (professoressa Susann Algaier), Fondazione Studio Marangoni (professoressa Lucia Minunno), LABA Libera Accademia di Belle Arti (professore Matteo Innocenti) e Istituto Marangoni Firenze (professori Carolina Gesti e Davide Daninos).
Cover: Tracey Emin, I wanted you more (detail), 2017. Private collection c/o Xavier Hufkens Gallery ©Tracey Emin. All rights reserved, DACS 2024.
