by Redazione 19/10/2026
Categories: Events / Disclaimer
From October 23, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the exhibition curated by Antonio Grulli will feature 31 light installations. Highlights include Tony Oursler’s first public art installation in Italy, a work by Flavio Favelli, CANEMORTO’s traveling light installation, and a special project by Samson Young at the OGR in Turin.
Luci d’Artista returns to Turin on Friday, October 23, 2026, with the opening of its 29th edition at 6:15 p.m. Organized by the City of Turin, produced by the Fondazione Torino Musei, and curated by Antonio Grulli, this year’s project features a route comprising 31 light installations, including four new works by Tony Oursler, Flavio Favelli, the anonymous trio CANEMORTO, and Samson Young. The lights will remain on until January 10, 2027, illuminating the city’s streets, squares, and iconic landmarks for nearly three months.
The main new feature is the participation of American artist Tony Oursler (New York, 1957), who has created his first permanent public art installation in Italy for this occasion. The project was developed in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Turin, on whose façade at Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 the installation will be presented. In addition to this, there is a work by Flavio Favelli (Florence, 1967), created using recycled materials and historical components, “The Radiant Van” by CANEMORTO, a traveling project supported by the Ministry of Culture, and “Inversions” by Samson Young (Hong Kong, 1978), conceived in 2026 for the East Court of the OGR Turin.
The overarching theme of this edition is “Memories and Future Dreams,” a concept that connects the city’s memories with its future prospects. The works look to Turin’s present and technological progress, but they also retrace the wounds of history, the region’s industrial tradition, and its magical heritage, ultimately offering a glimpse into Hong Kong’s architectural memory and its cinematic history. Alongside the new installations, the event continues the path it has taken in recent years to establish itself as an artistic research project active throughout the year, featuring national and international collaborations, restoration projects, public programs, and initiatives dedicated to sustainability.
Memories and Future Dreams: The City Looks to Its Past
The theme chosen for the 29th edition runs through the various installations, which draw on Turin’s memories and future dreams to weave narratives and evoke moods. Tony Oursler’s work *Star(life)* looks at a city capable of distinguishing itself through technological research and progress. Flavio Favelli’s *Poetiche del confine*, on the other hand, evokes the wounds of history, while CANEMORTO’s *The Radiant Van* celebrates the memory of Turin’s industrial fabric and its magical tradition. These works are complemented by a video installation by Samson Young, which explores Hong Kong’s architectural memory and the city’s connection to the tradition of martial arts cinema.
Another new addition is the participation of Massimo Vitali, an internationally renowned photographer invited to create a work dedicated to the social and community dimension of Luci d’Artista.
The four new installations
Tony Oursler’s project will be on display on the facade of the Turin Polytechnic’s main building at Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24. The American artist is known for his research, which has helped transform the use of projection and light in public and architectural spaces. The collaboration with the Polytechnic represents one of the key developments of this edition, extending the exhibition itinerary to a central hub for research and innovation.
Flavio Favelli created his installation using recycled materials collected over the years and railings severely damaged during the bombings of World War II. These elements were saved by Vittorio Viale, then director of the Civic Museums of the City of Turin, and are now preserved in the Palazzo Madama collection.
With *The Radiant Van*, the anonymous trio CANEMORTO brings a traveling light installation to Turin as part of the event’s DUET section. The project is realized in collaboration with Match Gallery and the Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana (MGML), Forum Ljubljana – Lighting Guerrilla Festival, the Venice Civic Museums Foundation (MUVE), and Halle13 in Vienna. The work has received support from the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture as part of the 14th edition, in 2025, of the Italian Council program, dedicated to the international promotion of Italian contemporary art.
The collaboration with OGR Torino, a hub of the Fondazione CRT, continues with *Inversions*, an installation created in 2026 by Samson Young and presented in the monumental East Courtyard. The project is part of the event’s program through an installation conceived for one of the complex’s most significant architectural spaces.
From a Seasonal Event to a Research Institution
Starting with the 25th edition, the City of Turin entrusted the organization of Luci d’Artista to the Fondazione Torino Musei, launching a process of evolution and enhancement aimed at moving beyond the image of an event primarily associated with the Christmas season. The event has gradually established itself as an independent cultural initiative of the Foundation, with its own identity, curatorial direction, and a medium- and long-term development strategy.
This transformation has encompassed the organization, curation, and expansion of the collection, as well as communication, public relations, and the establishment of new collaborative networks. The new organizational model has also led to the creation of a visual identity, a logo, and a dedicated website that documents the project’s history, along with the expansion of social media channels.
The goal is to preserve the historic exhibition format while simultaneously developing an institution dedicated to artistic research: a widespread, open-air museum of light capable of producing new works, fostering relationships, and promoting initiatives throughout the year. From this perspective, the collection, the public program, and the collaborations help strengthen the event’s presence on the national and international scene.
Alongside the main collection, the program is organized into sections that expand the project’s geographical and temporal boundaries. “Costellazione” develops a regional and national network with museums and art centers through collaborations with institutions such as the Museo del Novecento in Milan, the Reggia di Venaria, and the Accademia Albertina, with which a shared working relationship has been established.
The DUET section, on the other hand, brings together international collaborations and fosters the development of relationships with artistic communities beyond Italy’s borders. For this edition, the program focuses on Ljubljana and Vienna and includes the CANEMORTO project, realized with partner institutions already involved in the production of *The Radiant Van*. Rounding out the Accademia della Luce framework is the event’s public program, which involves the education departments of the city’s museums and, for this edition, the Polytechnic University of Turin.
Restoration, Sustainability, and International Perspectives
The project’s growth includes the enhancement, expansion, and preservation of the main collection, accompanied by an ongoing restoration program. Particular attention is given to sustainability through technological upgrades and measures aimed at reducing the energy impact of the installations. For the 2026 edition, project management has been entrusted to Chorus, a Turin-based architectural firm that integrates design, coordination, and project management through a collective approach.
Luci d’Artista is described by the organizers as Italy’s leading public art project in terms of its history, the caliber of the artists involved, and the works held in its collection. The goal for the coming years is to consolidate its international standing by further developing research on art in public spaces and the use of light as an artistic language.
The project is the property of the City of Turin and is carried out by the Fondazione Torino Musei with the support of the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and the Fondazione CRT. Partners include Iren, the Polytechnic University of Turin, the Council for the Promotion of Turin’s Artistic and Cultural Heritage, the Turin Industrialists’ Union, OGR Turin, and Palazzo Madama.
 |
| Luci d’Artista Torino: Four New Works for the 29th Edition |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.