Together with Elkann were just a few exclusive guests, including Italy's Consul General in New York Francesco Maria Talò, the President of the Institute for Foreign Commerce (ICE) Umberto Vattani, the Director of ICE-New York Aniello Musella, the Ambassador of the State of San Marino at the U.N. Daniele Bodini, the cultural representative of the State of San Marino at the U.N. Princess Giulia Borghese, and Isabella Del Frate Rayburn, one of the exhibition's sponsors.


 


The visitors have been guided by Renato Miracco, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in New York and the curator of this unprecedented display, which was inaugurated on the 15th have been  of September.  Mr. Miracco has been the heart and the soul of this exibition, and most of the paintings have been lent by some of his closer friends.  The resulting exhibition - set up in a quite original way - allows the visitor to discover the most “intimate” side of Giorgio Morandi as an artist. It is a comprehensive journey through Morandi’s works, in which his continuous researches, sometimes quite maniacal, are laid bare.


 


Mr. Elkann, who was accompanied by Advisor Angelo Crispi, praised Mr. Miracco’s efforts in collecting such a significant number of works of art signed by Morandi. "We are here not only to show our presence, but also to express our deepest gratitute to Mr. Miracco," he said. "This exhibition honors his commitments in promoting Italian contemporary art internationally. I am glad it has received the right tribute by being hosted in the most important museum worldwide. This collection represents, together with the exceptional catalogue that introduces it to the public, the fruit of the deep dedication of a great expert and scholar such as Renato Miracco. And, I may add, also an important achievement for his mandate as the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute”.


 


According to Mr. Elkaln, a new project will be soon implemented in New York: the creation of a new exhibition center dedicated to Italian art. In this regard, he has publicly appreciated the efforts of Ambassador Bodini, President of the Foundation for Italian Art and Culture, who his constantly working for its realization.


 


Elkann also pointed out that while visiting the USA he will meet several curators of American museums. The aim is to organize a number of exhibition centres for Italian artists throughout the United States: “There is great enthusiasm towards Italian art. This is a great honor for us.”  He is also planning, in partnership with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, to bring to Italy some of the exhibitions displayed nowadays in the United States.


 


The collaboration between Italian and American museums will indeed continue very soon: from September 2008, Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings willleave the Royal Library of Turin to  be displayed in Alabama ( Birmingham), in Nevada (Reno), and in California (San Francisco). In 2011, moreover, the New York's MOMA will host a retrospective on Dante Ferretti.


 


Meanwhile, Renato Miracco has laid down the first important stone.