The Critical Condition is a theoretical and practical program aimed at individuals working in the field of contemporary art criticism and curatorship, as well as those attending courses in Curatorial Practices or Contemporary Art History. The event will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, at SRISA – Santa Reparata International School of Art (Via Cavour 81, Florence). The Critical Condition is part of the Scripta 2025 – Fuochi program.
THE MASTERCLASS
This one-day masterclass invites participants to explore art writing as a civic and discursive practice — a way of thinking with art rather than merely describing it. Through a series of collaborative exercises, group discussions, and writing sessions, participants will examine how criticism can engage with the social, political, and cultural contexts that shape artistic production. Participants will reflect on their own standpoint as writers, experiment with style and format, and learn to build arguments that connect artworks to their broader cultural environments.
The masterclass unfolds in two parts — morning and afternoon — allowing participants to attend the full day or join for a single session. The morning focuses on critical positioning, shared readings, and collective discussion, while the afternoon emphasizes writing practice, peer exchange, and questions of voice and audience (the morning session will be held in English; the afternoon session will be held in Italian).
Designed for emerging writers, curators, and cultural practitioners, the masterclass offers a
space for shared reflection, peer feedback, and the cultivation of a critical voice grounded
in both awareness and engagement.
KEY PRINCIPLES
- Position and ethics: each writer acknowledges where they speak from and why.
- Group-based learning: collaboration and peer exchange replace solitary writing.
- From image to discourse: every exercise expands observation into contextual thought.
- Voice and adaptability: developing a personal tone responsive to audience and medium.
- Writing as participation: criticism as an engaged, civic contribution to culture.
PRATICAL INFO
The morning session will be held in English;
the afternoon session will be held in Italian.
The participation is free.
Registration required by writing to the address scriptafestival@gmail.com by November 14.
Send a short letter of interest (no more than 150 words) outlining your background.
In case of selection due to limited availability of places,
selected participants are asked to promptly inform us if they are unable to participate.
Total duration approximately 6 hours:
10.30-1.00 and 2.30-5.00.
Scripta. L’arte a parole 2025 – Fuochi
A project by Pietro Gaglianò
Scripta 2025 is organized by Associazione Scripta. L’arte a parole, with the support of the Tuscany Region as part of the #Toscanaincontemporanea2025 program, and with the support of Libreria Brac, Florence, in collaboration with SRISA — Santa Reparata International School of Art.
