Aug 21, 2023 / 12:16PM
Museum Meetings consist of a series of conversations dedicated to various aspects of art and museums, including art history, photography, anthropology, collecting, curation, techniques and media, conservation, and the role of museums and archives in society today. It originates in the Acton Collection at Villa La Pietra and expands to other artistic settinga in Florence and Italy. It is designed to attract a multidisciplinary group of NYU Florence students, not just those studying art or art history. All the meetings are conceived as discussions and envisage an active participation. Francesca Baldry, Collection Manager at Villa La Pietra, organizes the meetings and welcomes suggestions from students.
Tuesday, September 5 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm (Limonaia)
Making the Most of Your Time on the Tuscan Villa Estate (Sign up HERE)
Villa La Pietra, the Tuscan Villa Estate that is home to NYU, Florence makes our campus unique amongst NYU Study Abroad sites. The combination of a house, a garden and agricultural land constitutes a Villa Estate, a concept that traces its origins back to ancient Rome. A Villa Estate produces food, but it is not a farm, and its primary purpose is the wellbeing of the people who live on it. Cultivating the arts, the beauty of the wider landscape and human wellbeing are as important as the cultivation of the food it produces. This event allows students to appreciate Villa La Pietra’s long history, see how various families have lived on the estate and how NYU students may now make the most of the opportunities it offers to improve their knowledge, understanding and wellbeing. The event will conclude with the chance to ‘tase the difference’ with food prepared using home-grown produce.
Monday, September 11 – 6:00 pm (Villa La Pietra Garden)
Garden Voices: A New Way to Explore the La Pietra Garden
The launch of a virtual audio guide to the Garden of Villa La Pietra.
Thursday, September 14 – 1:30 to 2:45 pm (Villa La Pietra)
The Acton Research Project: Trecento
Insight on a group of 14th century paintings that are temporay off the walls and on display. Discussion, followed by a light lunch.
Monday, September 18 – 6:00 PM (Villa Sassetti)
Go with the Flow – The Waters of Florence
Screening of the documentary film Firenze città d’acque, followed by a discussion with Massimo Becattini (Film Director), Rossella Catanese (NYU Florence lecturer), moderated by Francesca Baldry.
Wednesday, September 20 – 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (Villa La Pietra)
Fashion and the Acton Milieu in the 1920s-30s
A guided tour of the temporary exhibition with Claudia Beyer (Textile Conservator) and Francesca Baldry, followed by a light lunch.
Friday, September 22 – Day Trip
Lucca
A guided walking tour of the city with Francesca Baldry and Francesco Niccoli.
Monday, October 2 – 6:00 PM – (Villa La Pietra)
Villas and Water: wells, cisterns grottos, fountains (Villa La Pietra)
Guided tour of Villa La Pietra and the Garden.
Friday, October 6 – ? AM (Villa Castello)
Villas and Water: wells, cisterns grottos, fountains (Villa Castello, Sesto Fiorentino)
Field trip to a Medici villa with Francesca Baldry and Nick Dakin-Elliot (La Pietra Horticultural Associate).
Monday, October 16 – 6:00 PM (Villa Sassetti)
The Story of the Garden Through the Lens.
A study case on the use of the Acton Photo Archive: the construction of the garden of Villa La Pietra. A talk by Francesca Baldry and Lorenzo Fecchio (Università per Stranieri di Siena).
Wednesday, October 25 – 6:00 PM (Limonaia)
Motherhood, Medicine, and Modernity: Caring for Children at the Beginning of the 20th Century.
A Villa La Pietra case study, with Prof. Perri Klass, Professor of Journalism and Pediatrics; Director, Minor in Medical Humanities, CAS, New York University.
Tuesday, October 31 – 1:30 PM (Villa La Pietra)
Visit to the Conservation Studio.
Visit followed by a light lunch.
Monday, November 6 – 6:00 PM (Villa La Pietra)
Growing up at the Villa
A worshop with Lisa Cesarani (Researcher) and other NYU Florence Faculty (tba).
Thursday, November 16 – 12:00 PM (Villa La Pietra)
The Figures of “Moors” Sculptures in the Acton Collecction.
A meeting with AMIR Project.
Monday, November 20, – 12:00 – 1:00 PM (Villa Colletta)
Elimination of Violence Against Women
Inauguration of the NYU Florence’s red bench
Tuesday, November 21, – 6:00 PM (Villa La Pietra)
Growing up at the Villa – Exhibition and talk
Final Project presentation with display