AIMC History

The AIMC (L’Associazione Internazionale Mosaicisti Contemporanei / International Association of Contemporary Mosaicists) was founded in Ravenna in 1980. The idea for the association grew out of a two-day study on contemporary mosaic, and it became a reality through the efforts of Professor Isotta Fiorentini, Peter Fisher (1922-2000) and many Italian and international mosaicists and scholars. The idea was given official support by the Cultural Commission of the Municipality of Ravenna. Isotta Fiorentini, the historical heart and soul of the association, recounts how Peter Fisher, a journalist and art critic who frequented at  the studio of Renato and Carlo Signorini during those years, was instrumental in contacting mosaicists from around the world. Although German by nationality and a resident of London since 1956, Fisher considered Ravenna his beloved city and he spent time there every year. He argued that mosaic is a timeless, profound art. He  strongly believed in mosaic as an appropriate means of contemporary artistic expression, due to its intrinsic nature which enables the use of a stylistic pluralism, characteristic of our time.

In 1987, the AIMC created a project  in Ravenna of particular importance:  a large public work of art, entitled MOSAIC OF FRIENDSHIP AMONG PEOPLES, at THE PEACE PARK. It is a permanent outdoor exhibition of mosaic works by contemporary artists from many countries, a unique open-air museum. The AIMC still enjoys the support of the City of Ravenna, which houses the administrative office of the Association at the Art Museum of the City (MAR), on the ground floor of the  Loggetta Lombardesca.  Since its foundation, the AIMC has remained active with conferences, exhibitions and publications aiming to promote contemporary mosaic throughout the world.  The Association has organized International Conferences and Exhibitions in:

• Trier, Germany with the local University, Department of Letters (1984)
• Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium with the local University,  Department of Architecture (1986)
• St. Petersburg, Russia with the Academy of Fine Arts (1992)
• Kamakura, Japan with the State University of Fine Arts and Music of Tokyo (1994)
• Alexandria, Egypt with the local University, Department of Fine Arts (1996)
• Ravenna, Italy with the University of Bologna, Department of Cultural Heritage and Conservation (2000)
• Vitoria, Brazil with the “Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo” (2002)
• Melbourne, Australia with the ACU National University and the Australian Multicultural Foundation (2004)
• Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia with the Museum of  Modern Art and the sponsorship of UNESCO (2006)
• Gaziantep, Turkey  in collaboration with the Zeugma Museum (2008)
• Athens, Greece in collaboration with the Greek Mosaic Association (2010)
• Athienou, Cyprus at the Callinikeio Municipal Museum (2012)
• Vienna, Austria at the Kulturzentrum Palais Palffy (2014)
• Spilimbergo, Italy with the Scuola Mosaicisti Del Friuli (2016)
• Paray-le-Monial, France, with Mosaïque Magazine and Maison de la Mosaïque Contemporaine (2018)
• 2020 COVID PANDEMIC
• Ravenna, Italy, with the City of Ravenna, Fine Arts Academy of Ravenna, Institute of Music “Giuseppe Verdi” – Ravenna, Faculty of Conservation of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Ravenna branch (2022).
• Monreale, Italy with the Municipality of Monreale (2024).

AIMC continues to host a Congress every two years, each time in a different international location.  The Congress includes several days of activities, including presentation of works by members, speakers on relevant topics, exhibition of members’ works, a General Assembly meeting, as well as much informal networking, exploration of the cultural offerings of the locality, and fun!

Stay tuned on our website -page: AIMC Congresses- and newsletter for updates on the 2026 congress, which will be held in Jordan.