Nasce la rete Tuscia Contemporanea: “Vogliamo smettere di essere solo la terra di mezzo tra Roma e la Toscana”
A new network for contemporary art called Tuscia Contemporanea is launching in the province of Viterbo, Italy, with a manifesto that declares art's preference for the margins over centers. Founded by fashion designer and entrepreneur Benedetta Bruzziches, the initiative aims to connect artists, curators, historic homes, universities, and institutions across the Tuscia region through a multi-year program. It will operate as a lightweight, horizontal network without a single artistic director, featuring three formats: numbered exhibitions held in different locations, open studio visits, and curated territorial experiences. The debut exhibition, 'Il Giardino di Gregor,' a solo show of German artist Gregor Becker curated by Antonio Arévalo, opens July 4 at the Museo di Palazzo Doebbing in Sutri and runs until October 18, 2026.
This initiative matters because it challenges the region's status as a mere transit zone between Rome and Tuscany, instead positioning Tuscia as a vibrant center for contemporary art. By weaving together existing artistic presences—including those of notable figures like Cy Twombly and Enrico Castellani who have lived and worked there—the network seeks to create a cohesive cultural identity without resorting to tourist promotion. Its decentralized, collaborative model could serve as a replicable blueprint for other peripheral regions seeking to leverage contemporary art for local cultural and economic revitalization.