In the palazzo's former wine cellar, the Strozzina Contemporary Culture Center offers a parallel exhibition called "American Dreamers: Reality and Imagination in Contemporary American Art, " with fascinating visions of fantasy worlds conjured up by 11 American artists working hands-on, crafting their materials paint, canvas, paper, found objects, fabric, bones in a countercurrent to conceptual pretensions.

WSJ: Americans Invigorate Florence | 'Sargent and American Impressionists' at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence

In the first-ever Apprentice-style program about art, aired over four one-hour episodes, a panel of four judges winnows a field of thousands down to a group of six, who then get put through reality-show-like challenges, including life drawing and creating a work of public art at the British seaside.

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Borbay, a shaggy bleached-blond 31-year old with an eye for haberdashery, came to the art world full-time two years ago after stints in graphic design, reality television, advertising and stand-up comedy.

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