The Highlands Current: The Donkeys of Philipstown

‘Living art’ stabled behind Italian museum

As it turns out, the 14 donkeys that live behind Magazzino in Philipstown are a long-term exhibit at the Italian art museum.

“They are a piece of living art,” said Giorgio Spanu, the Garrison resident who founded Magazzino with his wife, Nancy Olnick.

“Having the donkeys here brings us back to the idea that art can be for everyone, even the donkeys,” added Vittorio Calabrese, executive director of the museum, which is located on Route 9 just south of its intersection with 301.

Calabrese said the animals, which are endangered Sardinian donkeys (Asinelli Sardi), highlight the museum’s focus on the anti-establishment movement known as Arte Povera, or “poor art,” that started in the 1960s. Its artists use non-traditional materials such as soil, rags, twigs and even live animals.