Siena: "We Put Our Faces Forward" — final presentation of artist books on the Constitution

When: Wednesday 20 May 2026, from 11:00 to 13:00.
Where: Biblioteca Giuliano Briganti, Santa Maria della Scala (Piazza Duomo, 1) — Siena.

The Giuliano Briganti Library hosts the public presentation of the educational and artistic project "We Put Our Faces Forward. Artist books for the Constitution", developed with classes IA and IC of the Duccio di Buoninsegna Art High School in Siena. The initiative is part of civic education and the school’s Three-Year Educational Offer Plan, in dialogue with the exhibition Doppio Senso. Ink and Colour, devoted to artist books.

The project's aim is to engage young people with the values of the Constitution through contemporary art practices and visual experimentation. The work combined civic reflection with hands-on workshops, turning the study of constitutional articles into a creative research process.

• Participating classes: IA and IC, Duccio di Buoninsegna Art High School.
• Teaching coordinator: Alessandra Ragionieri.
• Curatorial and historical guidance: Dr. Beatrice Pulcinelli and the Giuliano Briganti Library.
• Works produced: ten artist-books in accordion (leporello) format, created through cooperative group work.

Students addressed themes such as fundamental rights, equality, work, culture, peace, freedom of expression, right to education, gender equality and voting. The pieces go beyond simple illustration: they reinterpret constitutional content in both personal and collective ways, often including the faces of the students themselves — hence the project's title, "We Put Our Faces Forward".

The educational path drew on the history of the artist-book in Italy, with references to figures like Fortunato Depero, Tullio d’Albisola, Bruno Munari and the Constitution-themed plates by Pablo Echaurren. Additional inspiration came from the Librartis permanent collection and the Doppio Senso exhibition.

The 20 May event will allow the public to view the books produced by the students; the works will remain on display in the Briganti Library throughout the summer, offering extended public access to the project outcomes.

Practical info: public event; presentation hours 11:00–13:00. Address: Piazza Duomo, 1 — Santa Maria della Scala, Siena.