Volevo essere libera ("I Wanted to Be Free") is a podcast in Italian that explores the extraordinary life of Peggy Guggenheim, the passionate collector and friend of the leading artists of the twentieth century, and her unconditional love of art.

Four episodes, narrated by actress Sara Drago and featuring the memories of the museum’s director, Karole P. B. Vail, tell story of one of the most daring and visionary figures of the twentieth century, highlighting how her courage and self-determination transcended time, making her a contemporary icon.

Through a series of extracts from her autobiography Out of This Century, published by André Deutsch (London, 1979 Volevo essere libera offers listeners a contemporary perspective of a woman who, through her stubbornness and vision, chose to live her life with fierce self-determination, becoming a beacon of freedom and modernity. Beyond being an homage to Guggenheim, the podcast also encourages us to rediscover the importance of independence and change for every era.

“Volevo essere libera” was created by Chora Media and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Peggy Guggenheim was born to a family that had achieved the American Dream: both her grandfathers had left Europe with a third-class ticket and found fortune in the United States, becoming among the richest men of their time. But although her family enjoyed great wealth, Guggenheim experienced an unhappy childhood. From this early moment, she began her long journey towards freedom.

The bohemian scene of 1920s Paris welcomed Peggy Guggenheim at the most important moment of her coming of age. She began her patronage of art and forged friendships and romantic relationships that would change her life forever. Although not all these brought her happiness, they all enriched and drew her closer to her passions: literature and art.

True love can be recognized almost instantly because it makes you feel at home. Perhaps that is how Peggy Guggenheim felt the first time she held a bronze sculpture by Jean Arp, which would become the first piece in her collection. Purchasing one work after another, she developed the idea of opening a museum.

After closing her New York museum-gallery, Art of This Century, in 1947, Peggy Guggenheim felt there was only one place she could truly call home: Venice. The city had taken up all the space left in her heart and was the place she felt truly happy. The works of art she has collected with so much passion and determination finally found a permanent home, where they still held today.