The return of figuration in Italian sculpture: an exhibition in Aosta, from Martini to Manzù and beyond

The Gamba Castle in Aosta is hosting the exhibition Ritornanti. Presence of Figuration in Italian Sculpture, scheduled from July 3 to Sept. 27, 2020.

The exhibition displays works by Arturo Martini, Francesco Messina, Giuseppe Maraniello, Giuliano Vangi, Luciano Minguzzi, Paolo Delle Monache and Giacomo Manzù. In addition, a section of the exhibition is dedicated to Aron Demetz, a contemporary artist as well as one of the best-known exponents of the young generation of Val Gardena artists who reinterpret the tradition of wood sculpture through a contemporary figurative language.

Over thirty works intended to compose a journey through twentieth-century art, from postwar experimentation to more recent productions. An itinerary that fits into the permanent exhibition with which it aims to create a close dialogue. Many of the authors, in fact, are already present in the Castle’s prestigious permanent collection.

The exhibition also proposes a reading of the collection, emphasizing and commenting on the affinities or differences between the works on temporary display with the permanent ones, as well as with works that in terms of historical and formal characteristics relate to them.

Ritornanti, a term that distantly echoes the French revenant, redivivo or ghost, is intended to stimulate a reflection on the presence of figuration in Italian sculpture, in a relationship, if not one of filiation, of proximity between the masters of the twentieth century and the artists of the latest generations.

Figuration, in fact, seems to cross the times and, although sometimes relegated to a marginal role, under the push of abstraction and conceptual art, re-emerges, periodically, each time in new research.

The sculpture exhibition is complemented by the display of twelve plates dedicated to Pinocchio by Mimmo Paladino and a photographic review on the theme of sculpture, conducted by Carola Allemandi. Curated by Domenico Maria Papa with technical support from Museumstudio s.r.l.s of Turin, the exhibition is accompanied by a printed catalog of the works.

For all information you can visit the official website of Castello Gamba.

The return of figuration in Italian sculpture: an exhibition in Aosta, from Martini to Manzù and beyond

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