In my art history class in Madrid we learned about the “Art Wars” that rippled through Europe in general, but specifically, in Italy. Later, on a trip to visit a friend in Italy, I was pointed to the same thing. Walking from site to site, my friend Andrea, our local expert, recited the history of such “Art Wars” where instead of using violence, or invading one another, the cities across Italy began investing a staggering amount of resources into the development and construction of local art. From Venice to Bologna to Verona to Florence over the long weekend I was struck by the scale and focus of art, each city striving to outdo the last with mosaic walls, a mountainous duomo, and piazza’s around every corner. The art history in Spain and Italy was unlike anything I had ever encountered. The abundance of monuments in each place signified its wealth and prestige and showcased this power to the world in a form of creation rather than destruction. I found myself marveling at such an initiative, the change from war to “Art War” that left spectacular structures in its wake for people to marvel and gawk at years later.
The core idea of challenging one another with beauty, innovation, and creativity resonates with me in a time where tensions are high, polarization is rampant, and people feel ready to tear each other down. I learned, first hand, the incredible repercussions of investing in art, development, and culture rather than war and division. Many years later, these “Art Wars” have elevated Italy as a top travel destination and carried the richness of the culture into the present day. Furthermore, to my friend Andrea who is from Pesaro, but studies now in Bologna, the “Art Wars” creates an incredible sense of pride for him. He explained that the locals overall take great pleasure in their world renowned statues, artists, cathedrals, and museums, and they enjoy claiming this cultural richness as a part of their national identity. Ultimately, I was awestruck by the beauty of Italy’s monuments; but, more importantly I admired how such a seemingly simple investment could shift a nation from self-destruction into self-preservation.
