KEART and Reale Mutua Assicurazioni for Villa Cimena

Edited by:

Keart Keep an eye on art

Duration:

24 February to 30 April 2025

Contacts

Reale Mutua and KEART write a new chapter for Villa Cimena: between art, restoration, and community

KEART Keep an Eye on Art is a project dedicated to the protection of historical, artistic, and contemporary heritage, fostering dialogue and public awareness.

In collaboration with the Galleria Umberto Benappi in Turin and with the support of Reale Mutua Assicurazioni, the main sponsor of the initiative, KEART presents a new maintenance and restoration campaign at Villa Cimena, a neoclassical gem near Turin. The initiative opens the doors of the property and the restoration site to the public, sparking discussions about both ancient and contemporary heritage.

This dialogue not only enriches the restoration process but also offers new artistic and cultural perspectives, actively engaging the public.

How?

Through a series of public events from February to April 2025, starting with an intensive maintenance intervention that has allowed for an unprecedented dialogue—within these spaces—between the ancient and the contemporary. At the heart of the initiative is the restoration of four large teleri located in the dining hall of Villa Cimena, artworks of undeniable historical and artistic value that require urgent conservation.

Thanks to the support of Reale Mutua, this initiative highlights the role of culture as a tool for social growth and cohesion, ensuring the preservation of our artistic heritage for future generations. For years, the company has supported major artistic and cultural institutions in Turin and across Italy, working toward the protection and promotion of local and national heritage.

An Innovative Model: Art, Restoration, and Community

KEART has invited contemporary artist Francesca Dondoglio—with the support of Galleria Umberto Benappi—to engage with the space temporarily left vacant by the restored artworks. Born in 1990, Dondoglio explores the relationship between material, color, and form. Her works, characterized by dynamic and pulsating color fields, merge material and gesture to create a luminous, powerful dimension. Drawing from abstract and informal art traditions, she enriches these influences through an artistic practice in which physicality—using parts of her body to paint—plays a central role.

Events and Activities

Vernissage (by invitation only): Friday, February 21, 2025, from 7:00 PM
Children’s workshops: Saturday, March 22 and Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM – free admission upon reservation, subject to availability
Meeting with the artist and restorers: Saturday, March 22 and Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM – free admission upon reservation
Guided tours of the restoration site and Villa Cimena: February 24 – April 30, 2025, Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM – free admission upon reservation; weekends by appointment only

Villa Cimena: A Stage for Art

Built in 1844 by Count Ottavio Thaon di Revel and designed by architect Carlo Sada, Villa Cimena is a neoclassical masterpiece, featuring an eclectic garden and refined interiors. The dining hall, adorned with its majestic teleri, will serve as the backdrop for this unique experience, where Francesca Dondoglio’s artistic expression will engage with historical heritage, creating a bridge between past and future.

Previous Experiences and Future Prospects

KEART has already successfully tested this model during an initiative at the Church of San Bartolomeo in Château Beaulard in the summer of 2024, involving artist Laura Santamaria. The goal is to replicate and expand this format, fostering greater public awareness of cultural heritage and contemporary art.

Project Presentation

The project was previewed on two occasions:

Flashback (November 1, 2024, 4:30 PM): Talk “What Do We Mean When We Say Restoration?” with Valentina Foggini (Director of Villa Cimena), Lisa Parola (art critic and historian), Paolo Gili (restorer), Giovanni Vagnone di Trofarello (journalist), and Benedetta Bodo di Albaretto (President of KEART).
Paratissima (November 2, 2024, 12:00 PM): Talk “Art and Maintenance: A Precious and Necessary Narrative” with Angelo Mistrangelo (art critic), Paolo Gili (restorer), and Benedetta Bodo di Albaretto (President of KEART).

Partnerships and Sponsors

The project is supported by Reale Mutua Assicurazioni (main sponsor) and technical sponsors Mnemosyne Servizi, Villa Cimena, Castello di Azeglio, and RCG Retro Consulting Group.