Madrid – On the occasion of the 45th edition of the International Contemporary Art Fair in Spain, ARCOmadrid, the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid is presenting the 1st Week of Contemporary Italian Art with an extensive exhibition program that transforms the Institute’s spaces, including its exterior façade, into venues for international dialogue and experimentation. Inside and outside the Institute, an installation by Cracking Art takes shape. Founded in 1993, this internationally recognized artistic movement is known for its urban installations featuring animals made from recyclable plastic materials. The intervention engages the façade of the Abrantes Palace, where a group of frogs “invades” the architectural space, playfully evoking their croaking – a background noise that becomes a metaphor for the constant debate surrounding contemporary art. In the Institute’s courtyard, murals by Marco Tamburro are displayed in a site-specific project exploring the universal theme of freedom, with the swing as the central motif – an iconic and recurring subject in the artist’s work. “Art is inseparably linked to the deepest essence and global image of Italy. Contemporary art represents a core component of our artistic heritage. Promoting it through initiatives within the Network strengthens Italy’s cultural identity and its profound ties with Spain. It highlights our capacity to innovate and experiment and reaffirms culture as one of the most important and pervasive pillars of growth diplomacy,” stated the Italian Ambassador to Spain, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi. The inauguration will take place on March 6 at 7:00 PM, with the presence of Paolo Bettinardi and Kicco from Cracking Art, as well as Marco Tamburro and Elia Festa. (9Colonne)