FFAI Fall 2014 Newsletter

Villa Gregoriana Park, Tivoli (Lazio) - © Massimo Siragusa

2014 Fall Newsletter

Friends of FAI24 West 12th Street, 5th Floor – New York, NY 10011 T: 212-242-3377 – [email protected]

www.friendsoffai.org 2

About Friends of FAI Friends of FAI was formed 24 years ago in response to the great passion that so many Americans have for Italian art and culture. The official mission of Friends of FAI is to foster in the United States a deeper appreciation and support for the preservation of Italian cultural and historical heritage reflected in buildings and properties of architectural and environmental significance in Italy.

One way that Friends of FAI meets its cultural and educational objectives is through its support of FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano, in its efforts to restore, preserve and open to the public important Italian monuments and properties.

In addition to supporting the work of FAI, Friends of FAI also organizes numerous events, including conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and concerts in the United States, and tours in Italy, to promote our mission and to spread awareness of Italian culture.

About FAI FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano functions as the National Trust for Italy. In this important role, FAI has successfully restored dozens of landmarks throughout Italy, and opened them to the public. FAI currently oversees and maintains 50 historic sites including castles, villas, parks and

monasteries. Its mission is threefold: to preserve precious places in Italy for present and future generations; to educate the public about Italy’s environmental, cultural and artistic heritage; and to protect and monitor Italy’s natural and cultural assets.

Fall 2014 Calendar

September 4 th-26th

Friends of FAI is delighted to co-sponsor ITALIANY, a photographic exhibition by Alexo Wandael featuring portraits of Italians who live and work in New York City. The photographs will be on display at NYU’s Casa Italiana Monday-Friday, from 10am-5pm. Please visit www.casaitaliananyu.org for more information.

Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò 24 West 12th Street New York, NY 10011

November 4th, 6pmAuthor and artist Sarah Plimpton is the great niece of Butler Ames. Butler Ames acquired the magnificent Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como in 1919 and the Ames family held the villa for many years. She will tell the story of how an American who on his first visit to Europe in 1911 fell in love with the villa and after many adventures managed to acquire it. The villa was entrusted to FAI in 1988.

Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò 24 West 12th Street New York, NY 10011

Upcoming EventsFriends of FAI is planning an event in Los Angeles later this fall, as well as several events in New York for its young members. Please contact our office for further information: 212-242-3377; [email protected]

Castello Di Masino 5 © Micol Sabbadini

Villa Della Porta Bozzolo 2 © Micol Sabbadini


Newsletter - Fall 2014

In Memoriam

Friends of FAI mourns the passing of two of its Balbianello Circle members: Jerry Janger, of Los Angeles, and Victoria London, of Key Biscayne, Florida. Jerry joined the Balbianello Circle with his wife Linda for the 2013 Spring Tour of Sicily, and Victoria had been a loyal member since 2010. Their warmth, humor, and exuberant spirits will be greatly missed.

News from the BoardFriends of FAI is delighted to welcome Andrea Carandini and Céline Crosa di Vergagni to the Board of Directors. Andrea Carandini currently serves as the President of FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano, and is among the most respected archeologists in Italy. Céline Crosa di Vergagni has been a co-chair of the Young Friends of FAI group since 2012 and has played an active role in organizing events and increasing membership. Friends of FAI is also pleased to announce that Carla Comelli, a committed supporter and longtime member of the Balbianello Cirlce, has joined the Board of Advisory Trustees.

All of us own the cultural heritage of Italy. Its fate is in the hands of those of us who can help preserve it and those of us who will help preserve it. We must remember to look back in time, because a generation which ignores history has no past, and therefore no future.

As a member of FAI, I receive the gift of visiting rare monuments, giardini, private Palazzi and irreplaceable historic places, that illustrate the Italian story, with all of its richness. I have also had the gift of seeing important works of art that I might never have seen on my own.

The invaluable work of FAI encourages us to be custodians of these treasures. In a world that is on fast forward, and is consumed with the "new, new thing", we feel a sense of responsibility to ensure that future generations, worldwide, will also enjoy the privilege to experience and learn from the ancient history and treasures of Italy.

A Word from Merle Mullin


Board of Friends of FAI

Board of Advisory Trustees

Marella Agnelli Honorary Chairwoman

Lynn de Rothschild Chairwoman of Advisory Trustees

Maria Manetti Shrem Chairwoman of the Balbianello Circle

Giorgio Armani Giancarla BertiAnna BulgariLaura Casalis Carla Comelli

Giulia Maria CrespiChiara Ferragamo

Audrey GrussGail Hilson

Joan HotchkisAnn Nitze

Paolo and Henrietta PellegriniMarilyn Perry

Giorgio PoggianiRoberta RitterNancy Rubin

Mariuccia Zerilli Marimò

Board of Directors

James M. CarolanPresident

Sharleen Cooper CohenVice President

Bona de’ Frescobaldi International Chairwoman

Susan BenderTreasurer

Giovanna Loredan Bonetti Andrea Carandini

Céline Crosa di Vergagni Bona de' Frescobaldi

Vannozza Guicciardini Merle Mullin

Alessandra Pellegrini



Balbianello Circle Spring Tour of Rome

The 2014 Balbianello Circle Spring Tour took place in Rome, however this visit to the Eternal City was like none our travelers had experienced before. Though one can never tire of viewing the splendors of Roman antiquity and the masterpieces of its Baroque painters and sculptors, this trip offered something quite unique: a glimpse into the city’s exquisite private homes and palaces.

Travelers were awed by the collections and elaborate décor of Palazzo Sacchetti, Palazzo Borghese and Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, which are still owned by the noble families whose names they bear. Several trips were also arranged outside of Rome, including lunch at the charming estate of Porto, located on the Imperial Harbor of Trajan, a dinner at the magnificent Odescalchi Castle on Lake Bracciano, and a visit to the Castle of Torre in Pietra, owned by Andrea Carandini, the President of FAI, and his family.

In addition to the works of Renaissance and Baroque art traditionally found in these residences, the group was also privileged to view the important Contemporary Art collections in the homes of Giovanni and Valeria Giuliani, Pietro and Camilla Valsecchi, and the Marchesi Berlingieri. A private tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel led by art historian Maria Cristina Paoluzzi was among the highlights of the trip, as was the visit to the spectacular Palazzo Colonna, which many recognized from the final scene in Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Finally, travelers had the rare opportunity to meet with the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, at a private audience at the Quirinal Palace.

Elbrun Kimmelman, Maria Salgar and Shannon Fairbanks at Palazzo Ruspoli

FAI's President, Andrea Carandini, gives a presentation at Castello di Torre in Pietra

Villa Medici Gardens Odescalchi CastlePalazzo Borghese


Italy's President, Giorgio Napolitano, greets Marchesa Bona Frescobaldi and members of the Balbianello Circle at the Quirinal Palace

Palazzo ColonnaLunch at Porto Harriet & Steven Nichols at Giardino San Liberato

This special encounter, as well as all of the other incredible moments on this trip, were made possible by Friends of FAI’s own Bona Frescobaldi.

We are deeply grateful for her tremendous efforts in organizing this incredible journey. We also wish to thank our gracious hosts for welcoming us into their homes: Marchese & Marchesa Patrizi Naro Montoro Conti Carandini Giovanni & Valeria Giuliani Duca & Duchessa Ascanio Sforza Cesarini Robert de Balkany Contessa Mila Brachetti Peretti Marchese & Marchesa Berligieri Contessa Daniela d’Amelio Memmo Pietro & Camilla Valsecchi Conte & Contessa de Liedekerke Contessa Sanminiatelli Odescalchi Principessa Maria Pace Recchi Odescalchi Duca Aslan Sanfelice di Bagnoli Principe Jonathan Doria Pamphilj We are delighted to announce that the 2015 Balbianello Circle Spring Tour will take place in Milan and the northern lake region from May 13th-18th. Please contact our office if you wish to receive further information.

www.friendsoffai.org


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2014 Restoration ProjectVilla Gregoriana Park, Tivoli (Rome)

About the Park Villa Gregoriana Park is located in Tivoli, just a stone’s throw from Rome. Amidst the park's beautiful natural landscape, it is possible to find archeological ruins of different periods, perhaps most notably the Villa of the Roman Consul Manlius Vopiscus, a luxurious residence also celebrated by the Latin poet Horace; and on the acropolis, the temples of Vesta and Tiburno, dating back to the second century BC.

Subsequently, an extraordinary natural garden was constructed, which is dominated by the acropolis housing Vesta and Tiburno's Temples. As you pass through the thick woodland of the park, you will discover the delightful combination of the majestic landscape and the tranquility of the paths that meander through it. Inside the complex can also be found the Caves of Neptune and the Caves of the Sirens, which form part of an incredible series of gorges and cascades, as well as the Great Waterfall, with its whirling mass of water that seems to fall directly onto those who pass in front of it. It should come as no surprise that this uniquely beautiful site became a popular destination on the European Grand Tours of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Temple of Vesta © Lawrence Beck

Villa of Manlius Vopiscus © Lawrence Beck

Great Waterfall © Massimo Siragusa

Villa Gregoriana Park © Lawrence Beck

In 2002, after many years of neglect, the Italian government granted the park on concession to FAI in order to carry out a major restoration project. After extensive work, FAI opened the park to the public in 2005, however due to the site's fragile ecosystem, it has been necessary to implement an ongoing restoration and maintenance program to prevent further damage. The park is now visited annually by more than 40,000 Italian and foreign tourists.

Historical NotesThe park was commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI to rebuild the bed of the Aniene River, which was damaged by a terrible flood in 1826. It was in 1835, after the Aniene River had burst its banks yet again, that Pope Gregory XVI decided to transform this enchanting but extremely dangerous location into a model of integration between art and nature. The project involved digging a tunnel through Mount Catillo in order to deviate the river and thus preserve the town of Tivoli.


A. Restoration of historical parapets and stabilization of the footpaths: restoration and conservation of the stone wall coverings and reinforcement of the base of the footpaths.

$150,000

C. Reinforcement of the slopes: adjustment of the hydrological system to prevent further erosion due to winter precipitation.

$20,000

B. Restoration of monumental entrance and historical ticket office: restoration of the external plaster and grouting of the entrance stairs.

$110,000

D. Landscape restoration: preservation and maintenance of plant life, removal of surface debris from stone walls, careful pruning and creation of new plantings.

$20,000

Total Budget: $300,000

Project Description and Budget

Due to the delicate state of this park, which was forged by both man and nature over many centuries, Villa Gregoriana Park requires constant maintenance in order to limit the damage caused by natural phenomena, and to guarantee the safety of the thousands of people who visit the site each year.After nearly 10 years since opening to the public, the following measures will be necessary to restore the monumental entrance, and to ensure that the park's footpaths and slopes meet safety requirements:

Project Funding

We have already raised a third of the funds needed for this project, thanks to the generous donations of the following Balbianello Circle Members:

Luciano & Giancarla BertiMartin Cohen & Sharleen Cooper CohenRonald & Barbara GeorgePeter & Elbrun KimmelmanRichard & Pamela KramlichPeter & Merle MullinSteven & Harriet NicholsJan Shrem & Maria Manetti ShremJay & Deanie Stein

We are deeply grateful to our patrons for supporting this important project. If you are interested in learning more about the restoration project, and the benefits offered to supporters, please visit: www.friendsoffai.org



News from Italy

Casa Noha Opens in BaslicataFAI inaugurated its first site in the Basilicata region on March 1st, 2014. Casa Noha is located in “Sassi,” the historic center of the town of Matera, which originates from a prehistoric settlement. The sassi consist of houses carved into the stone beginning in the Paleolithic period, which are believed to be among the earliest human settlements in Italy. Thus Casa Noha tells the story of Matera from prehistory to the present.

Casa Noha takes its name from a noble family who inhabited the property from the 15th to the 17th century, when the line was extinguished. Visitors to the site will be able to learn about the fascinating history of Matera thanks to a multimedia installation that sheds light on the Matera’s art, archeology, architecture and culture.

For further information, visit: http://eng.fondoambiente.it/beni

Restoration begins on the Abbey of Cerrate!On July 29th, FAI and the Province of Lecce held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Abbey of Cerrate to mark the beginning of the restoration project. The 12th century Abbey is an important architectural, cultural and religious landmark for the Puglia region, and was selected as the 2013 Friends of FAI restoration project.

The first phase of the project will include the restoration of the monastery, the creation of a visitor's center, and the restoration of the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions. This portion of the project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. The next phase will focus on the restoration of the roof and the interiors of the Abbey itself.

It will still be possible to visit the Abbey, free of charge, while it is under restoration. To learn more, visit: http://eng.fondoambiente.it/beni

The 2014 “I Luoghi del Cuore” Census is Underway!Now in its 11th year, this important survey asks Italians to vote for the places in Italy that are closest to their hearts, and that they wish to see saved or restored. The project is designed to raise awareness of Italy’s cultural patrimony and to foster collaboration between communities and institutions in an effort to protect and enhance this heritage. Once the results are tallied, FAI selects one or more of the top-ranked sites to restore and safeguard for future generations. To date, 45 sites throughout Italy have benefited from this initiative.

This year, FAI has added a special category to the census: “Feeding the Planet”, in conjunction with Expo 2015, taking place next year in Milan. The Universal Exposition will focus on technology, innovation, and sustainability in global food production and distribution. Participants in the “I Luoghi del Cuore” survey will now have the opportunity to vote for sites in Italy that relate to food production, such as olive groves, orchards, farms, mills and dairies.

To learn more about the project, or to participate in the census, visit: www.iluoghidelcuore.it

Matera © FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano

FAI's Vice President, Marco Magnifico, discusses the restoration of the Abbey of Cerrate


The Young Friends of FAI

Since launching in 2012, the Young Friends of FAI group has been focused on growing its membership and organizing events in New York City that highlight Italian art and culture. The group kicked off the 2014 calendar with a private, guided tour of the Italian Futurism exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum. In April, members enjoyed an exclusive, hands-on culinary class with Chris Boswell, Executive Chef of the American Academy in Rome. Guests learned to make delicious homemade Italian recipes from the chef ’s new cookbooks Pasta and Verdure.

The following month, Prada hosted a cocktail party for the Young Friends of FAI at its Madison Avenue boutique. Over 300 guests attended the event, and enjoyed cocktails while shopping Prada’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Prada generously offered to donate 10% of the sales towards the restoration of the Abbey of Cerrate in Puglia, which both Friends of FAI and Prada are sponsoring. In June, members were invited to CIMA, the Center for Italian Modern Art in New York, for a private viewing of the exhibition of Italian Futurist artist Fortunato Depero.

We wish to thank the Young Friends of FAI Co-Chairs: Chiara de Rege and Céline Crosa di Vergagni, and Event Committee members: Francesco de Rege, Nicolò Foscari Widmann Rezzonico, and Frances Milliken for their dedication and efforts.

To learn more about the Young Friends of FAI, or to become a member, visit: www.friendsoffai.org/youngfriendsoffai.php

Céline Crosa di Vergagni, Nicolò Foscari, and Chiara de Rege co-host a cocktail party at the Prada boutique

Chef Chris Boswell demonstrates Italian cooking techniques

Fortunato Depero exhibition at CIMA Gallery

Guests at the Prada cocktail reception

The Young Friends of FAI enjoy a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum



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Friends of FAI Scholarship

Friends of FAI is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Friends of FAI Scholarship: Valeria Castelli and Paolo Campolonghi. Ms. Castelli and Mr. Campolonghi are Ph.D. candidates in the Italian Studies department at NYU, whose research centers on the literature, history and politics of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Valeria Castelli’s dissertation project examines documentary films voicing a denunciation concerning situations of injustice and illegality in contemporary Italy (2001-2014). Through the analysis of films’ narrative structures, rhetorical devices, and stylistic choices, as well as conditions of production, circulation, and reception, her research shows how documentary films have been an effective and yet neglected and obstructed medium to denounce injustice, challenge power relations, contrast the culture of illegality and advocate for social change. The Friends of FAI Scholarship supported Valeria in conducting research in archives and libraries in Rome, Florence and Bologna. In particular, she visited the archives present at the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, which possesses a rich corpus of audiovisual material and critical literature about Italian documentary films, and hosts the headquarters of Doc/it, the Italian Association of Documentary Filmmakers.

Paolo Campolonghi’s dissertation project focuses on the intersection and the overlapping of media representation, politics and the law (the justice system) that has characterized the last two decades of Italian history, from the years of Tangentopoli to the 2013 general election. As his research shows, this period produced a discourse on justice that evolved into a tool for the construction of political authority and for the mobilization of public opinion to an unprecedented extent. The nation’s recent history, in fact, has been marked by numerous investigations and trials, so that crime and illegality have permeated media representations and social narratives. At the same time, the political class in Italy struggles to gain credibility, while the judicial power has acquired a far more central role in the country’s political life. The Friends of FAI Scholarship enabled Paolo to conduct research in archives and libraries in Rome, Florence, Bologna and Milan. In Rome, Paolo worked at the Teche Rai, while in Milan, he accessed the Corriere della Sera’s archives.

Friends of FAI is also delighted to offer a new fellowship opportunity to Master’s students in NYU’s Italian Studies Department. The 2014 fellowship has been awarded to Chiara Galimberi and Aimée Dingwell, who will begin the M.A. program this fall at NYU’s Villa la Pietra campus in Florence. Paolo Campolonghi

Valeria Castelli

Friends of FAI 2014 ContributorsFriends of FAI wishes to express its deep gratitude to its members and supporters.

Balbianello Circle

Laurel BarrackGiancarla BertiTeresa de BulgheroniMartin Cohen & Sharleen Cooper CohenCarla ComelliRobert DavisShannon FairbanksValentina FrancoYulieth FrancoRonald & Barbara GeorgeCecilia Heyman Joan HotchkisPeter & Elbrun KimmelmanFrederick KochRichard & Pamela KramlichJacques & Anne de LiedekerkeRenvy Graves PittmanPeter & Merle MullinSteven & Harriet NicholsM. Lee PearceAndrew & Mary PilaraGianluigi & Claudia QuentinJoyce ReySuzanne RheinsteinGuy Robinson & Elizabeth StriblingMaria SalgarJan Shrem and Maria Manetti ShremJay & Deanie SteinCrispin Vaughan Friends

Joseph d’AmicoKathleen BennettGene Bramson Megan Hardwick John HauslerMillicent MarcusTimothy & Patrizia MathewRichard PizziniSusan Ross

Supporters & Benefactors

Philippa CalnanJames M. CarolanCecile Graziano The Young Friends of FAI

Jose AchiEmily AndrewsLionel AugusteLeonardo AuricchioAlex BahadoriBlair BandeenMark BarakEdward & Eugenia BaylissStephane & Maxine BedatBree BernwangerMattia BianchiChiara de BiaseMatthew BirdElizabeth BlackKatie BlakelyChiara BodiniJacqueline BonfiniAlberto BruzzoneTripp CallanSofia CaputoMarina CarnevaleFranco CastelliGerman ChullmirPaola CimolaiCéline Crosa di VergagniPaola Crosa di VergagniGiulia d’AlemaGhislain de KertanguyStefano & Kirsten FarsuraNicolò Foscari Widmann RezzonicoMichael Grady & Virginia TupkerAshwini KadabaBrady KirchbergNadia KleinDaniel LeiboviciWill Hunt LewisKate LoganSusannah LudwigAlessandro Luongo

Daphne LymanValentina MagnificoLivia Manca di VillahermosaLavinia Marzotto Pasqua Flavia Masson Clare MelletChiara MellucciUlderico MicaraFrances MillikenPierandrea MinafraKorie MirandaCarlo Mirisola di TorresantoGuido MolinariElsa MolinariAdrian MuzinichRodrigo Nunez AguilarAndrea OrioliAshley PagliaroStefania PanepintoStefania PattavinaAlex PowellSamuel PowellJustin QuinnAudrey QuockMariavittoria RavarinoEnrichetta RavinaJames RitterViola RomoliDavid RubaltelliIsabela SabinoMaria Carolina SandrettoElias SayeghJustin SchultzNikki ShahBernardo SicilianoCharles SmithDaniele SolariRaffaella SquilloniSolana TixiManuel TosoliniDavid TotahAntonio VergaCristiana ViganòKim VuManuela Zanzi MaroniFrancesca Zobele

Friends of FAI c/o Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò - New York University - 24 West 12th Street, 5th FloorNew York, NY 10011 - Phone 212-242-3377 - [email protected] - www.friendsoffai.org

Membership Levels & Benefits

YOUNG FRIEND (under 40) $75 - International FAI Card, allowing the member to visit, free of charge, all FAI properties in Italy. - Friends of FAI's electronic newsletter and invitations to exclusive Young Friends of FAI social events in the US.

FRIEND $150 - International FAI Card, allowing the member to visit, free of charge, all FAI properties in Italy. - Friends of FAI’s electronic newsletter, and invitations to Friends of FAI social events in the US.

SUPPORTER $500 - All the benefits accorded to a FRIEND - Il Libro del FAI a handsome hardcover book containing photographs and detailed information about FAI’s properties.

BENEFACTOR $1,000 - All the benefits accorded to a SUPPORTER - A 12-month subscription to The Magazine Antiques, bringing you the fascinating worlds of architecture, interior design, and fine and decorative arts from the dawn of civilization to the modern era.

BALBIANELLO CIRCLE $5,000 -All the benefits accorded to a BENEFACTOR - Access to an exclusive Italian journey organized especially for the Balbianello Circle. Members will enjoy invaluable access to the treasures of Italy's museums and historic homes, with special viewings as personal guests of the venerable families who are Italy's greatest patrons of art and culture.

PATRON $15,000 and up - All the benefits accorded to a BALBIANELLO CIRCLE MEMBER - Every year, Friends of FAI identifies a special restoration project in Italy that it wishes to support. A Patron's donation will be designated to support that project. As a patron, you will enjoy great recognition for your generosity: plaques with the names of the Patrons who have made the restoration possible will be featured prominently at FAI projects for various levels of support.


Please Join Us Today

By becoming a member of Friends of FAI, you are helping to preserve some of Italy’s most cherished landmarks for future generations. Learn about the exciting benefits offered to our members, and decide which level of membership is right for you.

Enroll online at www.friendsoffai.org/membership-online.php

FFAI Fall 2014 Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of FFAI Fall 2014 Newsletter