Mario Cristiani: 'we supported art with the collaboration of local authorities'

How did you finance these projects?

I mortgaged my house. From 1990 to 2005 we only had two contributions of 100,000 euro from Monte dei Paschi and one of 200,000 euro to close the Arte all'Arte project. The expenses, however, were much higher.

Over time, apart from Monte dei Paschi, who has financed the projects of Associazione Arte Continua? .

Over ten years, Associazione Arte Continua has received 1,100,000 euro in grants from private and public entities, including the already mentioned 300,000 euro from Monte dei Paschi and 12,000 euro as an average commitment for each intervention in each municipality, from local authorities. In cooperation with them, we have realised 89 projects, 21 of which permanent, works that were already worth millions of euro at the time and brought fans and visitors from all over the world to the area. I remember in 2001 Nari Ward's 'Illuminated Sanctuary of Empty Sins' at the Poggibonsi incinerator; in 2000 Mimmo Paladino's 'The Sleepers', also in Poggibonsi at the Fonte delle Fate, and Anish Kapoor's 'Underground' in the Torrione di Sant'Agostino in San Gimignano, and many others. With the same money, other institutions have left nothing stable.

How does the association finance itself now?

It is an APS, i.e. a social promotion association. If there is a shortage of money, I step in. I raise funds through events and friends of the arts. I financed 150,000 euro for a park in Prato 'Il bosco delle Neofite' and 50,000 euro for the three associations that did art education in Poggibonsi (Ottovolante), Colle val d'Elsa (LaGorà) and in San Gimignano (Cultureattive).

Have there been more prosperous times since 1990 until now?

No. I stopped for 10 years out of discouragement. We participated in two European tenders, but one of the projects was destroyed. Local politics did not support us: I was seen as an outsider.