THEY SAY LOVE

Is it a stone in your shoe? An ice-cold hammock?

What is this force that moves the world, that can make us wake up smiling in the morning and, a moment later, sweep away all our happiness? What is this love that, when it becomes excessive, seems capable of justifying unjustifiable behaviour, and yet never seems to be enough?

At a time when Italy, too, is finally beginning to acknowledge the urgent need for emotional and relationship education that is not left exclusively to the family, the Artists of Montemario explore the ambiguities of human relationships. Where does the boundary lie between care and control, between interest and stalking, between intimacy and the violation of privacy, between sharing and possession? And can this boundary be the same for everyone?

What distinguishes a feeling from a demand, attentiveness from intrusiveness, the desire for closeness from the denial of another person’s freedom? When does love cease to be a space for encounter and become an instrument of control? And above all, who gets to define that boundary?

"They say Love" offers an opportunity to reflect, through art, on behaviours that are often normalised, justified or even mistaken for expressions of affection. But it also invites us to consider what we truly value in our relationships, and what we want to cherish and protect within our emotional lives.

As always, the Collective’s works will be hosted by Giardino di Nina, a space where the artists’ works will provide both a setting and a guide for reflection and dialogue around these themes.

As evening falls, a fire will be lit, and those who wish to stay will be welcome to share a meal in the garden. For organisational reasons, dinner must be booked in advance and is offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis.