The Municipality of Arezzo announces the “Lancia d’Oro” competition for the presentation of the sketch relating to the creation of the handle of the Lancia d’Oro to be awarded to the winning District of the 146th edition of the Giostra del Saracino scheduled for next September 1st and dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the Stigmata of Saint Francis.
Artists, designers, graphic designers, architects, art students and anyone who, in various capacities, has developed skills in the artistic field can participate in the competition. Each participant can compete with the presentation of only one sketch.
The sketch, relating only to the handle of the spear that will be carved by the master Francesco Conti, must be freely inspired by the dedication of the eight centuries from the Stigmata received by Saint Francis of Assisi. The sketches can be presented in sculpture, painting, graphics or digital, preferably with cardboard support, respecting the following characteristics:
- sculpture works must not exceed 50 centimetres in length with a central diameter of less than 20 centimetres and, at the two ends, greater than 5 centimetres;
- Paintings or graphic works must not exceed 50×70 cm in size and must highlight, in a single study, the three-dimensionality of the sides of the handle.
The sketches must be received no later than 12.00 on Monday 22 July 2024 by the Municipality of Arezzo – Office of Cultural and Tourist Policies – Giostra del Saracino – Via Bicchieraia 26 52100 via email to the address [email protected] or delivered by hand by making an appointment by calling 0575/377462 – 0575/377447.
The sketch must be accompanied by a technical sheet (dimensions and techniques used), complete personal details of the author (name, surname, residential address and telephone number) and a brief presentation of the sketch to provide the Commission with further elements for evaluation.
The Judging Committee, from the works received, will select the winning sketch that will remain the property of the municipal administration and kept at the documentation center of the Giostra del Saracino. All other works can be collected, by appointment, no later than October 20, 2024; after that date they will also become the property of the municipal administration.
The Commission’s decision is final and it reserves the right not to proclaim any winner if no suitable works emerge or the required requirements are not met. The municipal administration reserves the right to evaluate the opportunity for the best sketches (up to a maximum of 10) to be exhibited at the exhibition path “I Colori della Giostra”.
The author of the winning sketch will participate in the press conference to present the Golden Lance scheduled for Saturday, August 24 in the City Council Hall, as well as in the Giostra del Saracino on Sunday, September 1. The sketch will also be published in the Yearbook edited by the Giostra del Saracino Press Office and presented at the Giostrators’ Award Ceremony in February 2025.
Please note that the preferential selection criteria will be the originality and the concrete possibility of the sketch being conveniently adapted to the carving of the spear handle. The Commission also reserves the right to make any changes it deems appropriate during the implementation phase, including the insertion of identification inscriptions.
It will be possible to examine the photos of a significant number of Golden Lances and their handles, selected from those won by the four districts in previous editions of the Giostra del Saracino, under the heading “The Golden Lance” on the website www.giostradelsaracinoarezzo.it or by appointment in the photo gallery of all the golden lances present in the exhibition path “The Colors of the Giostra”.
Information and appointments: Office of Cultural and Tourist Policies – Giostra del Saracino – Via Bicchierara n. 26.
Tel.: 0575/377462 – 0575/377447 Email: [email protected]
