This autumn, the historic heart of Florence becomes the stage for a striking conversation between epochs, as contemporary artist KAWS unveils a major new site-specific installation. Titled THE MESSAGE, the work inhabits the Renaissance courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi until 25 January 2026. Presented by Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and Fondazione Hillary Merkus Recordati, the project places the artist’s iconic, pop-inflected characters in direct dialogue with the palace’s revered architecture and the concurrent exhibition on master painter Fra Angelico, creating an unprecedented cultural encounter.
The monumental work features two over-six-metre-tall wooden sculptures depicting KAWS’s most beloved characters, COMPANION and BFF. In a clever and poignant update of a classic theme, the figures are shown interacting with mobile phones. Their poses overtly recall the traditional composition of the Annunciation, a subject famously rendered by Fra Angelico, where the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary face each other in a moment of divine communication. Here, the smartphone becomes the modern vessel for this sacred exchange.
Through this simple yet powerful gesture, KAWS reinterprets Western iconography for the digital age. The work explores themes of connection, communication, and the nature of messages in our time. Where a divine word was once delivered by an angel, today’s instantaneous connection is facilitated by a device we hold in our hands. This monumental installation provocatively questions what is sacred now, suggesting that the technology which defines our contemporary life has assumed a near-religious significance in mediating our relationships and our perception of reality.
The public art dimension is central to the project’s impact. Located in the freely accessible courtyard, THE MESSAGE ensures a direct and democratic encounter with a global audience. This approach is a hallmark of KAWS’s practice and aligns perfectly with the mission of the Palazzo Strozzi Future Art programme, which seeks to create new dialogues between past and future through ambitious contemporary commissions. The installation’s scale and familiar characters are designed to provoke both immediate engagement and deeper reflection.
Curated by Arturo Galansino, the installation is more than a simple juxtaposition; it is a thoughtful response to its environment. KAWS’s characters, often embodying universal emotions like melancholy and solidarity, bring a layer of human vulnerability to the formal perfection of the Renaissance space. This creates a poignant contrast that highlights the enduring human need for connection, whether it be with the divine, with each other, or through the digital interfaces that now dominate our daily interactions.
KAWS: THE MESSAGE solidifies the artist’s position as a unique bridge between art and popular culture. By seamlessly weaving together the visual language of the Renaissance with the symbols of our hyper-connected present, KAWS offers a powerful commentary on the evolution of communication. The installation promises to be a must-see event, inviting visitors to Florence to witness a captivating moment where Renaissance architecture meets the poignant, tech-infused narrative of one of today’s most influential artists.