Italia Pazza: The Open Call Inviting Artists to Rethink the Bag

A bag as a canvas for creative exploration. This concept lies at the heart of ITALIA PAZZA, an open call now in its second edition, launched by Fondazione Italia Patria della Bellezza. The initiative aims to forge connections between contemporary artistic practices and the social dimension of creativity. Open until May 4, 2026, the call invites artists active in Italy to engage with an everyday object rich in symbolic potential, transforming it into a unique "canvas à porter." The project emphasizes the opportunity to translate one's artistic vision through a functional object that seamlessly integrates into both public and private spaces.

This project is a collaborative effort with prominent entities spanning art, design, and communication, including Casa degli Artisti, Cottura Creativa, Robilant, and Galleria Rossana Orlandi. It encourages a deep reflection on the interplay between aesthetics and ethics, mass production and artistic uniqueness, and the evolving nature of shared identity, acknowledging its inherent tensions and possibilities. The term "pazzia" (madness) in the title symbolizes creative freedom—a powerful impetus to transcend conventional boundaries and generate unexpected imaginaries. The first edition successfully highlighted the talents of Mariangela Bombardieri, Sara Ricciardi, and Mattia Sugamiele.

For this second edition, three outstanding projects will be selected, with announcements made by May 15, 2026. Each winning artist will be awarded a €3,000 grant and gain access to an exclusive residency program hosted across Casa degli Artisti, Galleria Rossana Orlandi, and Robilant. During this intensive period, artists will develop their final works, culminating in 50 unique pieces that will form a limited-edition collection. These distinctive bags will be made available through donations on the Foundation's website, directly supporting the organization's broader socio-cultural initiatives, which are driven by a model integrating economic resources with pro bono communication services.

The selection process will be meticulously carried out by a distinguished commission. This committee includes members from the Board of Casa degli Artisti, alongside Maurizio di Robilant, Alessia del Corona, and Federica Sala representing Fondazione Italia Patria della Bellezza; Roger Botti and Angelo Ferrara from Robilant; Franco Bosisio, Christian Gangitano, and Francesco Sghirripa for Cottura Creativa; and Rossana Orlandi and Nicoletta Brugnoni for Galleria Rossana Orlandi.

Comprehensive details and guidelines for participation in the ITALIA PAZZA open call are readily available on the Fondazione Italia Patria della Bellezza's official website.