fornasetti theatrum mundi exhibition opens in complesso monumentale della pilotta in parma

fornasetti and the complesso monumentale della pilotta in parma present ‘fornasetti theatrum mundi’, an exhibition that brings hundreds of creations from the milanese atelier in dialogue with the collections of the pilotta. after a long period of closure due to the COVID-19 emergency, the exhibition was inaugurated yesterday, june 3, 2020, in conjunction with the reopening of the complesso della pilotta, and will remain open to the public until february 14, 2021.all images by cosimo filippini unless stated otherwise

exploring classicism through the lens of contemporary design, ‘fornasetti theatrum mundi’ creates a true ‘theatre of the world’. fornasetti‘s objects establish a profound dialogue with the architecture and artworks of the complesso monumentale della pilotta, echoing their associations with culture, thought, dream, and imagination. the exhibition presents a real ‘theatrum’ as the term was understood in the sixteenth century, taking visitors through a layered journey between the classic and the modern, between past and present.

the exhibition is divided into various cells relating to the main themes of fornasetti’s work: ruins and the use of the past as a fragment, architecture, music, variations on a theme, drawing, graphics, collecting, everyday objects, and the dimension of illusion and dreams. it begins with the 21 windows inside the galleria petitot of the biblioteca palatina, and continues with a chance to admire the extent of the galleria dell’incoronata. then, it guides visitors into the heart of the teatro farnese, a masterpiece of seventeenth-century architecture built inside the complex on the model of the vitruvian theatre. the same architectural structure was the main source of inspiration for the idea of the ‘theatrum mundi’, formulated by the neoplatonic rhetorician giulio camillo (1480-1544).

‘fornasetti theatrum mundi’ is accompanied by short texts by piero and barnaba fornasetti and selected quotes from other authors that provide suggestions and interpretations. the exhibition is part of ‘revitalisations of the contemporary,’ an initiative conceived to mark parma 2020+21, italian capital of culture. curatorship of the exhibition is by barnaba fornasetti, artistic director of the atelier, valeria manzi, co-curator of cultural activities and president of the fornasetti cult association, and the director of the complesso monumentale della pilotta simone verde. the intention behind it is to renew the classical heritage of the independent museum institute of parma, through the intellectual recovery that has made it one of the undisputed leaders in contemporary design.

sketches for screens by piero fornasetti, 1950s

sketches for the curved chest of drawers ‘palladiana’ by piero fornasetti, 1950s

project info:

name: fornasetti theatrum mundi

designer: fornasetti

venue: complesso monumentale della pilotta

location: piazza della pilotta 15, parma, italy

duration: june 3, 2020 to february 14, 2021