Lifestyle

The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in Italy explores classicism through the lens of contemporary design

JUN 17, 2020 | By Paahini Agarwal
The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Teatro Farnese, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini
The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Teatro Farnese, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini
The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Voltoni del Guazzatoio, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini
The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Galleria Petitot of the Biblioteca Palatina, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini
The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Galleria Petitot of the Biblioteca Palatina, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini
The Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Salone dell’Ottocento, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini
Sketches for screens by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s
Scketches for the curved chest of drawers “Palladiana” by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s

The Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta in the northern Italian city of Parma and Fornasetti have joined forces for the ongoing Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition. Since its opening on June 3, 2020, the show has generated great interest for contemporarising classic forms in a witty counterpoint between the brand’s inventions and the collections of this museum, which also serves as the exhibition venue.

It features hundreds of creations from the Milanese atelier, showcasing a profound dialogue with the architecture, spaces and artworks in the Pilotta palace. The designs echo their associations with culture, thought, dream, and imagination, creating a true “theatre of the world”. In all, it is a layered journey between the classic and the modern, between past and present. 

The exhibition is curated by the brand’s artistic director Barnaba Fornasetti, Valeria Manzi, co-curator of cultural activities and President of the Fornasetti Cult association, and Simone Verde, the director of the Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta. It is divided into various cells: 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.

You can imagine what a profound experience this is, considering that the exhibition begins with the 21 windows inside the Galleria Petitot of the Biblioteca Palatina and then enters the Vitruvian theatre styled, 17th century Teatro Farnese (which inspired Guilio Camillo to create Theatrum Mundi similarly). 

A network of iconographic references and cultural suggestions reveal the intellectual mandate of the objects and images on display, highlighting their depth and offering exciting and universal implications. These are accompanied by short texts by Piero and Barnaba Fornasetti, and selected quotes from other authors that provide interpretations. 

Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi will be open to the public until February 14, 2021; Scroll below to glimpse parts of it… 

Part of the Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Scalone Monumentale, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini

 

Part of the Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition at the entrance of the Teatro Farnese, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini

 

Part of the Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Sotto gradinata Ovest, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini

 

Part of the Fornasetti Theatrum Mundi exhibition in the Salone dell’Ottocento, Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta; Photographs by Cosimo Filippini

Screen “Obelischi” 1950s; lithograph on wood