The five pieces include a series of tall metal containers filled with coal arranged in a maze that leads to a pile of coal in the centre – the work of Greek artist Janis Kounellis called “Untitled”.
Also on show are a bronze and wooden leg and foot by German artist George Baselitz and a figure of a naked man carved into a horizontal slab of marble by Italian Luciano Fabro.
The other exhibits include a video and photographic display by American minimalist Robert Morris and photographs of crowds by German Thomas Struth.
The director of the Accademia, Franca Falleti, who organised the exhibition, was suitably dismissive of the critics:
“We have had lots of negative comments from visitors, which has surprised me, but then again it’s always easy to complain,” she said.
“I expected there to be some criticism because a lot of people today just have no appreciation of contemporary art.
“People look at David as a religious-like figure through blinkered eyes, so when that is contrasted with contemporary art it is too much for them.”
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