Among the initiatives promoted by A occhi aperti 2025, special attention is being given to young artists under 35 by means of programs designed to support their artistic growth and professional development.

The program of six masterclasses, organized in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Bologna - Erasmus Mundus in European Literary Cultures and the Department of Arts, is open to the public and all artists in training. The masterclasses will offer insights into the techniques, working methods, and poetics of the guest artists and will take place from November 20th to 23rd at the Academy of Fine Arts and DAS – Dispositivo di Arti Sperimentali.

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS OF BOLOGNA
Thurs., Nov. 20, 10:00 a.m. | Nicole Claveloux: Constructor and Destroyer of Worlds
with Loïc Boyer, Jean-Marc Lonjon, Laura Scarpa, and Ilaria Tontardini

DAS - DISPOSITIVO ARTI SPERIMENTALI
Sat., Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m. | Is the Future a Possibility?
A conversation between Manuele Fior and Francesco Maria Spampinato, moderated by Ilaria Tontardini

Sat., Nov. 22, 12:30 p.m. | An Echo from Within
Lika Nüssli in conversation with Federica Lucchesini, moderated by Valeria Cavallone and Giordana Piccinini

Sat., Nov. 22, 3:00 p.m. | The Lateral is Political
Hurricane in conversation with Vittorio Giacopini, moderated by Emilio Varrà

Sat., Nov. 22, 4:30 p.m. | Phantom Reflection
with B*MO, Dario Sostegni, and Raffaele Sorrentino, moderated by Matteo Gaspari

Sun., November 23, 3:00 p.m. | Representing the Invisible
David B. in conversation with Emanuele Dattilo, moderated by Alessio Trabacchini

Visual Poetry, the intensive workshop led by Swiss artist Lika Nüss, will be dedicated to selected young artists and will be scheduled for November 17-19 at URCA Studio and include portfolio reviews.

The portfolio reviews will be led by industry professionals such as Sarah Mazzetti, an internationally renowned children's book author and illustrator (she has collaborated with magazines such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Die Zeit, and Vanity Fair); and Alessio Trabacchini, comics critic and editor of Coconino Press - Fandango, professor at the ACCA Academy and NABA in Rome, and co-artistic director of the Baba Yaga Fest - Stories and Drawings from Eastern Europe. Reviewers will meet individually with participants, who will be able to present their work and receive targeted feedback aimed at guiding the development of their publishing activities. This will provide participants a valuable opportunity to gain professional insights and to reflect on building their own authorial profile.

The project was made possible through support from the Otto per Mille funds of the Soka Gakkai Italian Buddhist Institute.