Sgarbi is not missing the opportunity to make people talk about him. After his political vicissitudes of the last months, he has decided to run for mayor and transform Salemi into his small empire of culture, where he has surrounded himself with renowned names and prominent collaborators.
As many will remember, the irreverent art critic a few months ago was removed from the office of Councillor for Culture of the Municipality of Milan. Mayor Letizia Moratti had judged his attitude intolerable. Sgarbi’s bright and innovative mind had caused many polemics and various exhibitions were censored before their inauguration. Disagreements and divergences that soon ended with the ex-councillor being removed from Palazzo Marino.
But could such an episode ever appease Vittorio Sgarbi? After looking for an assignment that could suit him within central government bodies, perhaps due to the lack of a seat that could comfortably accommodate him, or more probably for an nth act of provocation, the famous critic accepted to run for mayor of Salemi, a town in Sicily with eleven thousand souls, in the province of Trapani. During last June’s run-off, he achieved 60% of preferences. A thrashing victory, among countless polemics, as always when Sgarbi is involved.
In the meantime, the neo-mayor is operating to transform the rural town on the hills of Trapani into a new cultural domain. Those that were defined by some as the “last dandies” will be gathered by Vittorio Sgarbi in Salemi, a place until now unspoken of by the news. In the intentions of the newly-elected, the event will make the headlines and the town will become famous in the world.
Salemi is not new to such pretences of supremacy. In 1860 Garibaldi, at the beginning of his march for the nation’s unification, declared it first capital of Italy. An important investiture, although it lasted only a day. Today Sgarbi would like to see the city revive, transforming it into a new destination for tourism and culture. The challenge that he is throwing to the exclusive places attended by the ruling class and by Italian politicians is based on the millenary charm of this land, as well as on its catalyzing action. And in order to achieve this objective he has gathered great names, to whom he will assign various appointments, including functional councillorships, certainly unique in Italy.
Oliviero Toscani, the photographer who has often shaken consciences with his shocking advertising campaigns, is Councillor for Human Rights and Creativity. Well-chosen assignment for one of the most important Italian creative figures, who has brought to the front line some of the greatest plagues of the modern world, from the situation in Africa to anorexia.
One of Vittorio Sgarbi’s protégés could not be missing: Graziano Cecchini, self-proclaimed futurist artist. He is the person responsible for the actions that coloured the Italian capital in the last months, first by colouring the Trevi Fountain with a red dye and then with an invasion of coloured balls thrown down the staircase of Piazza di Spagna. The assignment as Councillor for Nothing has been chosen for the contested artist
The Councillorship for Culture-Agriculture will go to art dealer Peter Glidewell; prince Bernardo Tortorici Montaperto will be Councillor for Town Planning and Heritage. Philippe Daverio, lofty name of culture in Italy and acclaimed art critic has been nominated Librarian. Magistrate Giuseppe Ayala will be Guarantor of Legality. Carlo Pettini (Slow Food guru) and Milly Moratti will take care of the gastronomic sector. Guest of the Palermitan town will also be Maestro Riccardo Muti.
Alain Elkann, son-in-law of lawyer Gianni Agnelli, writer, reporter and tv presenter has been indicated as the key figure for the conference of religions summoned on 10th October. His Jewish origins will certainly have an important role in the definition of policies for the religious dialogue. A festival on Jewish culture and other monotheist religions is also planned. Director Andrée Ruth Shammah and maestro Gianni Morelenbaum will take part in the organization.
The names involved are many and the energy brought by the visionary art critic and amplified by his collaborators is certainly not lacking. Therefore, the project of reviving this precious cradle of culture could actually come true. Hopefully the new mayor, absorbed by such fantastic visions, will not forget to respond to his citizens’ most immediate needs.
(translated by Giorgina Arcuri)