Tuscany, land of marble, masters and timeless creativity, will soon host an event that connects art and innovation. On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the book presentation of “The Idea of Sculpture. From the Hand to the Robot” will take place in Pietrasanta, the Tuscan town known worldwide as the “City of Artists.” The meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Sala Annunziata of the Chiostro di Sant’Agostino (Via Sant’Agostino 1), with the participation of curators Roberta Semeraro and Giovanna Cicutto, and Mayor Alberto Stefano Giovannetti.
Table of Contents
A book that bridges art, technology, and human creativity
Published by Maretti Editore, the volume “The Idea of Sculpture. From the Hand to the Robot” explores how artificial intelligence and robotics are transforming the creative process.
The protagonist is Helena Bacardi, a Cuban-born artist based in the United States, whose marble sculptures — some produced with robotic precision in the workshops of Carrara — reflect on the delicate balance between handcraft and technology.
Her works have been shown in dialogue with Michelangelo’s drawings from Casa Buonarroti in Florence and models from the Museo dei Bozzetti in Pietrasanta, creating a unique bridge between Renaissance tradition and future innovation.
“The idea is the origin,” says Bacardi. “The hand interprets it according to artistic sensitivity — just as technology does not create the idea, but helps to express it.”
A Tuscan reflection on the future of sculpture
The book, curated by Semeraro, gathers essays in both Italian and English from respected voices in the art world, including Paola Mar, Emanuel Dimas de Melo Pimenta, Chiara Celli, and Alessandro Cecchi of Casa Buonarroti.
With 96 richly illustrated pages, it stands as both a catalog and a philosophical reflection on the meaning of artistic creation in the age of AI.
The Pietrasanta presentation follows two earlier events — in Venice and Milan — and marks the final stop of a cultural journey through Italy’s major artistic cities.
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Why Pietrasanta?
Known as the City of Artists, Pietrasanta has long attracted sculptors from around the world thanks to its proximity to the marble quarries of Carrara and its community of artisans and foundries.
The choice of this Tuscan town for the presentation of The Idea of Sculpture feels almost symbolic — here, tradition and experimentation coexist naturally.
For visitors, it’s also the perfect occasion to explore the town’s charming historic center, its art galleries, and cafés filled with creative energy.
💡 Where to stay: explore our handpicked list of hotels near Pietrasanta and the Versilia coast — Hotels in Pietrasanta and Versilia.
Event details
📖 The Idea of Sculpture. From the Hand to the Robot – Book Presentation
📅 Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 11:30 a.m.
📍 Sala Annunziata, Chiostro di Sant’Agostino, Via Sant’Agostino 1, Pietrasanta (LU)
🎟️ Free entry, subject to availability
👩💼 With: Roberta Semeraro, Giovanna Cicutto, and Mayor Alberto Stefano Giovannetti
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