The New York-based artist reimagines Fra Angelico’s Annunciation with larger-than-life wooden figures
Reinterpreting a Renaissance Classic
KAWS transforms the 15th-century loggia at Palazzo Strozzi with two six-meter wooden figures, replacing the angelic encounter of Fra Angelico’s “Annunciation” with his iconic COMPANION and BFF characters. The installation infuses Renaissance architecture with pop-cultural play and tactile warmth.
Themes of Technology and Connection
The work meditates on modern isolation and digital communication. BFF stands with a hand on heart while COMPANION engages with a smartphone, reflecting how technology shapes human connection in contemporary life.
Exhibition Details
“THE MESSAGE” is on view alongside a Fra Angelico exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi through January 26, 2026, offering viewers a dialogue between classical art and contemporary commentary.
