Johannis Avramidis, Enrico Baj, Afro Basaldella, Hans Ebensperger, Max Ernst, Paul Flora, Bruno Gironcoli, Alfred Hrdlicka, Josef Kien, Karl Plattner, Giuseppe Santomaso, Luigi Senesi, Willy Valier, Markus Vallazza, Paolo Vallorz, Emilio Vedova, Fritz Wotruba

60 years of art and innovation: the Galleria Goethe and the Alessandro Casciaro Art Gallery

In 2024, the Alessandro Casciaro Art Gallery will be celebrating an important milestone: 60 years of activity, marking a continuity that has its roots in the founding of the historic Galleria Goethe in Bozen-Bolzano in 1964 by Ennio and Ivana Casciaro and which has continued, since 2015, in its new premises on Via Cappuccini. Since its beginnings, the Galleria Goethe has been a pillar of the South Tyrolean cultural scene, influencing the development of contemporary art both locally and internationally. It has provided a platform for dialogue between the international avant-garde and the art of the region, underlining its historic function as a cultural bridge between North and South. The work of Ennio Casciaro, In particular, formed strong links with artists such as Karl Plattner, embodying the Central European spirit of the gallery.
Ennio and Ivana, with their unerring sense of artistic quality and their organisational talent, were able to mediate between artists, critics and collectors, thereby establishing a place for meeting and exchanging ideas. The Galleria Goethe has played a fundamental role in the cultural fabric of Bozen-Bolzano, helping to strengthen the social function of art, as demonstrated by numerous exhibitions and initiatives. It was not just an exhibition space, but a focal point for debate and reflection, hosting local artists, including Karl Plattner, Paul Flora, Markus Vallazza, and international artists such as George Grosz, Otto Dix, Max Ernst, Heinz Mack, Adolf Frohner, Alfred Hrdlicka, Max Weiler, Fortunato Depero, Mario Schifano, Emilio Vedova, Giuseppe Zigaina and many others.
In 2015, with the closure of the Galleria Goethe, Alessandro Casciaro took over his parents' legacy by founding the Alessandro Casciaro Art Gallery, keeping the family tradition alive and projecting it into the future. The new gallery has consolidated its presence on the international stage, continuing to represent prominent Italian and European artists, alongside young and emerging talents, with the aim of promoting their careers and artistic development. With over 50 years of prestigious exhibitions, international collaborations and participation in art fairs, the gallery is today a benchmark in the world of modern and contemporary art.
In 2024, the Alessandro Casciaro Art Gallery will be marking a new chapter in its history with the opening of a new exhibition space in Venice, in Fondamenta S. Giacomo 199, next to the Basilica del Santissimo Redentore, in a striking location on the Giudecca Canal, overlooking San Marco and Punta della Dogana, places that are symbolic of Venetian art and culture. The new location complements the historic venue in Bozen-Bolzano, enriching the exhibition programme and creating a further meeting point for collectors, artists and professionals, strengthening the gallery's presence on the international scene.
The decision to open a branch in Venice is no coincidence: the city, with its long artistic and cultural history, and the regular presence of the Biennale, continues to be a vibrant centre for contemporary art. Venice represents a unique balance between the local and the global, and the Alessandro Casciaro Art Gallery intends to fit into this context, contributing to the artistic revival that the city is currently experiencing.
For this anniversary exhibition, Alessandro Casciaro has chosen to highlight a distinctive aspect of his curatorial vision: a dialogue between local artists and part of the Central European scene of the 1960s, an expression of the contemporary world of the time, as well as a reflection on how the ideas and artistic experiments of that era continue to influence the artistic research of today's generations. All the selected artists have exhibited at the gallery over the years.
By taking this approach, the gallery will offer a unique opportunity to understand the importance of those years and their lasting impact on the present. The synergy between international and local art, which has always characterised the gallery's exhibition programme, will also be central to this exhibition, which will continue to explore new forms of expression and open up a dialogue between past and present.
In conclusion, the 60th anniversary of the Galleria Goethe and the Alessandro Casciaro Art Gallery represents not only a milestone, but also a moment of reflection on the long journey through the various stages of modern and contemporary art. From the pioneering work of Ennio and Ivana Casciaro, who made the Galleria Goethe a symbol of South Tyrolean culture, to the dynamic vision of Alessandro Casciaro, who transformed the gallery into a global player, this story of art and passion continues to evolve, keeping intact its ability to innovate and look to the future.

Contribution from Marjan Cescutti