Giotto restored in Florence, Biennale de Lyon, Remedios Varo—podcast

In Florence, Italy, the Bardi Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Giotto painted scenes from St Francis of Assisi's life in the 14th century, has recently reopened after a four-year restoration. This project was undertaken by the Opficio delle Pietre Dure, a group dedicated to preserving Italian heritage, in collaboration with the Opera di Santa Croce.

Emanuela Daffra, superintendent of the Opficio delle Pietre Dure, and Donata Grossoni, an art historian at the Opera di Santa Croce, discussed the restoration efforts and the significance of Giotto's work with Ben Luke, host of The Art Newspaper's award-winning podcast.

Meanwhile, the 18th edition of the Biennale de Lyon, titled "To pass from one dream to another," opened in Lyon, France. Curated by Catherine Nichols, an Australian-born, Berlin-based curator, this edition explores the theme of transition and transformation through various artistic expressions. Ben Luke interviewed Nichols about the exhibition, delving into the diverse range of works presented.

The podcast also featured a spotlight on Remedios Varo's painting "The Juggler (The Magician)," created in Mexico City in 1956. This piece is part of the first major European survey of Varo's work, which will be exhibited at the Louisiana Museum in Denmark and Moderna Museet in Stockholm. Tere Arcq, the co-curator of the exhibition, shared insights about the painting with Ben Luke.

Featured in the podcast was a Work of the Week segment, highlighting Varo's "The Juggler (The Magician)" and introducing listeners to the artist's unique Surrealist style.