In 2019 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation established the contest ‘Vivo d’arte’ for young Italian artists under 36 living abroad.
The aim of the award is to provide an instrument of visibility and promote collaboration between Italian artists and the cultural scene of the country where they live, encouraging them to produce new works that develop the theme of fusion and dialogue between cultures and that involve local artists. The focus of the award is on the performing arts (music, theatre, contemporary dance) and is supported by the prestigious collaboration of the Romaeuropa Foundation.
The initiative also aims to create a network of Italian artists abroad and raise awareness of new Italian immigration, promoting two key contemporary hallmarks of Italy in the world: its creativity and the ability of its artistic talent to express itself even beyond national borders.
Winners of past editions
- 2019 – ‘Underground memoirs’ by Maria Giulia Serantoni, a young Italian choreographer living in Berlin, was the project selected from the 20 nominations from as many Italian artists living in 12 countries (Paraguay, Spain, France, Monaco, USA, Germany, Argentina, UK, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Tanzania).
The multidisciplinary performance by Maria Giulia Serantoni combines dance with a strong video, sound and installation component, and represents a journey into the memories of the two main dancers, linked to “underground” culture and the independent art scene of the city of Berlin. The show was presented as part of the thirty-fourth edition of Romaeuropa Festival. - 2020 – ‘SHE’ by Valerio Zanini with the Ninja Guru studio, was the show selected from the 16 proposals from Italian artists living in fourteen countries (United Arab Emirates, Spain, Portugal, USA, UK, Principality of Monaco, France, Belgium, Egypt , Argentina, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Austria).
“SHE” is an “augmented choral dance” performance, which combines electronic music and choreography. The performer, through the use of sensors and algorithms for recognising and tracking gestures, tracks their movements, giving them shape and producing sounds. The show was staged as part of the thirty-fifth edition of Romaeuropa Festival.
