A Firenze l’arte crea comunità e confronto nello spazio Bagasseria. Intervista al suo fondatore
Painter Samuele Alfani has launched Bagasseria, a new independent art space and studio in the Sant’Ambrogio district of Florence. Named after the Catalan word for a house of prostitution as a gesture of reclamation and freedom, the venue functions as a porous community hub that blends artistic production with public engagement. Its inaugural exhibition, "Bau Bau Baby," is a group show curated by Luigi Presicce and Anna Capolupo featuring artists such as Francesco Lauretta, Davide Serpetti, and Thomas Berra.
Bagasseria represents a growing trend of artist-run spaces that prioritize process and social exchange over commercial rigidity. By situating the studio in the heart of a historic neighborhood and opening it to interdisciplinary collaborations in music and literature, Alfani aims to challenge the traditional gallery model. The initiative highlights the importance of grassroots cultural infrastructure in maintaining Florence's contemporary relevance beyond its Renaissance heritage.