Charity

THE COLOR OF TOMORROW Piazzetta di Portofino 28 August 2008 7.30 pm http://www.unicef.it/

Unicef and Fundacion Museo del Parque at certain times throughout history, either intentionally or unintentionally, due to shoddy political administrations or economic incompetence, there are countries that are forced into a total economic “default” situation. This happened to Argentina. The country came out of the experience in tethers with a middle-class all but wiped out and and a degree of poverty that was wholly unknown in a country that one hundred years previously had been known as the world’s bread basket. Who is not able to recall those Argentinian children in hospital due to denutrition – absurdity at its most extreme in a catastrophe that was in itself totally absurd. I believe that trying to be useful to the country in which you live – whenever possible – is much more than a mere moral obligation. I spent many fascinating years in Argentina, a country that awarded me incredible emotions, a country with every possible type of climate – all these factors help me in my modest efforts. Over the years I have directed the Galleria Civica in Portofino and have written a plethora of books on contemporary art. I have curated important art events and run the Museo del Parco – Centro Internazionale di Scultura all’Aperto in Portofino. This has helped me involve artist friends whose generosity in donating a particular work has enabled me to organise this important charity exhibition and auction in order to help the future of Argentinian children. How? With the money collected a cultural centre for artistic training will be built at the Fundacion Museo del Parque, in Candelaria, in the region of Salta. The close relationship between the Fundacion and the Museo del Parco in Portofino will allow us to host major international artists at the Training Centre who will offer for free courses to young Argentines. I hope from the bottom of my heart that I will soon be able to write an enthusiastic critical report on works created by one of the pupils on these courses. This particular initiative intends to create a future direction for those young people who, while possessing both ability and willingness, do not actually have the wherewithal to pursue their dreams. It is also a joy for me to take part in this event with Unicef as part of their Latin American programme. My deepest thanks must go out to all the artists without whose generosity all my efforts would have been in vain, to the critics and gallery owners involved in all these activities and to the cultural institutions in the region of Salta that, together with the Governor, Juan Manuel Urtubey, will be helping the Fundacion by sending teachers for craftwork courses when artists are not available. My final thank you must go to the President of the Genoa Unicef, Franco Cirio who has been indispensable on account of his enthusiasm and charity initiatives involving young people all over the world. A special thank you also to the Region of Liguria and the Culture Councillor, Fabio Morchio, and the President of the Fondazione Colombo, Mario Bozzi Sentieri. Daniele Crippa La Candelaria on St Valentine’s Day 2007 Nothing like the language of figurative art is able to communicate a message and maintain its significance for time immemorial. The best of ways to conclude the cycle of events to commemorate the great Genoese Christopher Columbus on the 500th anniversary of his death is most certainly by presenting the various points of view of famous artists in an International Contemporary Art Exhibition. Art is therefore offering the opportunity for a gesture of solidarity towards two countries that are so far away, yet still so close: Argentina and Colombia – such a noble excuse for such an important event. In Argentina, thanks to the unfailing commitment of Daniele Crippa, we have the ambitious objective of giving the children of Candelaria, in the region of Salta, an Art Training Centre. In Colombia, we are supporting the Unicef project “Girls and Boys Building Peace”. This is a project that educates children for peace through participation and through the work of the educators who will be promoting the equality of the sexes, peoples, social classes and respect towards others. The programme will be undertaken in sixteen education centres in three provinces in Colombia (Risaralda, Caldas and Quindio) and in the district of the capital, Bogotà. I would like to thank the artists and all those who have made the initiative possible, enabling us to keep alive a dialogue with the countries of Latin America, for the generations to come, for peace and for social justice. UNICEF Committe of Genoa, the President, Franco Cirio http://www.unicef.it/ The “Fundacion Museo del Parque” was set up during the period of devaluation in Argentina with the objective of helping the futures of young people in the country through the cultural collaboration of the Museo del Parco in Portofino. The creation of an Art School will enable us to invite artists of an international level to hold courses for the students from the Foundation. When they are not present, the generous collaboration of the Salta Government will allow the school to hold craftwork courses at zero cost with lessons given by government professors. The structure will include an Amphitheatre, an exhibition Pavilion and the Culture Museum of Candelaria along with the Museum of Paleontology Our efforts are supported by the help and assistance given by artists, intellettuals, business people, foundations and friends: we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. Fundacion Museo del Parque La Candelaria – Salta Argentina http://www.mustique.com.ar/post.php/fundacion-museo-del-parque