On Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, at 5:30 pm, a special event of the “Aperitivi in danza” Festival, organized by MOTUS at the Centro Internazionale d’Arte (Via Mencattelli 5/7, Siena), with a rich program ranging between literature, theater, visual arts and dance, addressing the issue of violence against women. The event is realized in collaboration with Atelier Vantaggio Donna, with the support of ChiantiBanca.
The event will open with the vernissage of “A.D. 8324” a solo exhibition by artist Alessandro Grazi. Sienese painter and sculptor, active on the Italian and international scene, Alessandro Grazi works in Siena at his Art Lab Gallery in Pian dei Mori (Sovicille), pursuing graphic and material experimentation with a strong sense of irony, frequently drawing influences from Spatialism and Futurism. The artist dynamically uses the space as a blank page to trace lines and graphic signs, arrange drawings and images, interspersing them with words, phrases and pictorial cuts. He combines the visual exploration typical with a broader poetic vision, through a forty-year research that the artist himself defines as “Grafica Cubica.” Grazi has held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in prestigious events throughout Italy, Europe, the United States, and Asia. His works are published in national catalogs by specialized publishing houses and are present in public and private collections. In July 2007, he painted the Palio di Siena.
The exhibition opening will be followed by the presentation of the book “ATTRAVERSARE LA NOTTE. Racconti di donne dall’Afghanistan dei talebani” by Cristiana Cella, published by Altreconomia. The is the collection of 70 stories inspired by women’s testimonies over four years of Taliban rule, accompanied by powerful images by Carla Dazzi, photographer and volunteer who combines artistic passion with civic engagement. The book denounces the women living conditions in an Afghanistan that has once again become a prison, under a regime that normalizes femicide, torture, and slavery, and where fear becomes the most powerful weapon of control. Cristiana Cella is a journalist and writer who has been following Afghan events since 1980, when she entered Kabul clandestinely to report on the resistance against the Soviet invasion. Since 2009, she has been a member of Cisda – Coordinamento Italiano Sostegno Donne Afghane – with which she has traveled the country to support women’s associations and document their struggles through reportage and humanitarian projects. She collaborates with Altreconomia and is the author of “Sotto un cielo di stoffa. Avvocate a Kabul” (Città del Sole, 2017). Giving voice to these stories of women forced to beg or work in secret, to resist domestic violence, or to teach in secret schools, will be Albalisa Sampieri, an actress and activist known for her political commitment, combining two great passions: women’s politics and theater. A leading representative of the Atelier Vantaggio Donna Association, she combines planning, teaching, and research activities with directiond and acting.
Following, the dance performance “WORK-IN-PROGRESS” by the MOTUS Company, choreographed by Simona Cieri.
The event will end with a buffet, to allow the artists and the public to interact in a convivial atmosphere.
The ticket price is 12 euros (reduced 10 euros).
Information and reservations: info@motusdanza.it or +39 0577 286980.