Contemporary art meets the Renaissance in the heart of Florence. The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and the Fondazione Hillary Merkus Recordati present KAWS: THE MESSAGE, a new site-specific installation by renowned American artist KAWS, in dialogue with the Renaissance architecture of the palace and the exhibition dedicated to Beato Angelico (open until January 25, 2026).
Curated by Arturo Galansino, general director of the Foundation, the installation transforms the monumental courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi into a place for reflection on the relationship between spirituality, pop culture, and digital hyperconnectivity.
A dialogue between KAWS and Beato Angelico
THE MESSAGE arises from the confrontation between two visions distant in time but united by the language of images. KAWS reinterprets the theme of the Annunciation, central to Beato Angelico’s art, replacing the sacred dimension with a reflection on the contemporary experience of communication.
In this monumental installation, the cell phone becomes the symbol of the new “revelation”: an everyday tool that, in today’s visual culture, takes on an almost spiritual value.
KAWS: icon of international contemporary art
Born in 1974 in Jersey City and based in Brooklyn, KAWS (Brian Donnelly) is one of the most influential figures in global contemporary art. His work combines art, design, and pop culture, challenging the hierarchies of the art world.
From his origins as a street artist to his famous sculptures and characters with X-shaped eyes, KAWS has developed a universal language capable of speaking to different audiences, from museum art to digital culture.
His works have been exhibited in major international institutions, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Serpentine Gallery in London, and the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
Palazzo Strozzi: a courtyard for the future of art
The installation THE MESSAGE is part of the Palazzo Strozzi Future Art program, which promotes contemporary projects that connect the past and the future, history and innovation.
Free access to the courtyard allows citizens and visitors to enjoy an immersive and participatory art experience, confirming Palazzo Strozzi as one of the most dynamic centers for contemporary art in Italy.
In this dialogue between the Renaissance and pop culture, Florence once again confirms its status as a place where history becomes fertile ground for new forms of creativity.
