The American Dream arrives in Florence

Does the “American dream” still exist? Since 11 September 2011 the United States of America has witnessed the collapse of its sense of invulnerability and security, but the ability to dream and the will to believe in a future with a happy ending have maintained their central place in the idea of “being American”.

The exhibition “American Dreamers. Reality and Imagination in Contemporary American art”  at Strozzina (Palazzo Strozzi), Florence, Italy (9 March–15 July 2012, opening 8 March 2012, 6 pm) comprises a reflection on the work of artists who use fantasy, imagination and dreams to build alternative worlds to the increasingly complex reality of life today.

Some condense the essence of reality into miniaturised systems while others expand outwards into space, and yet others feed on fantastic, dreamlike images or reflect on such symbolic themes as the home and the family which play even today a central role in the construction of the myth of the American way of life.

This exhibition is organised by the CCC Strozzina in conjunction with the Hudson River Museum (Yonkers, New York, USA) and curated by Bartholomew F. Bland.

Opening hours will be Tuesday–Sunday 10 am – 8 pm, free Thursdays 6 pm – 11 pm.