About

Public is a long term project composed of commissions and residencies based on a principle of dialogue and reciprocal exchange between countries with emergent cultural programs and institutions. Through the combination of public artwork commissions and a research residency grants, Public promotes a new method of cultural confrontation and contamination through the platform of contemporary art.

Starting with the identification of a partnership country each year, the project activates a single vision divided into two fronts: from one side, the realization of a public artwork commissioned to a mid-career artist from the guest country, in collaboration with a local institution of international reputation; and from the other, the financing of a four month research residency at MACRO, Museum of Contemporary Art, Rome, Italy offered to a young artist from the guest country. 

ZegnArt Public looks at contemporary art as an experience capable of engendering confrontation between cultures, in order to favor the exchange of resources and knowledge and, as a educational model, support the growth of civic and ethical values.

The entire project is conceived by Cecilia Canziani and Simone Menegoi, and co-curated with Andrea Zegna, project coordinator. The curatorial team in turn works directly with the curator of the cultural institution in the selected location.