Curated by Stefano Dominella and Bonizza Giordani Aragno
Press conference Tuesday 3rd May 2016, 11am
Opening Tuesday 3rd May 2016, 7pm
Open to the public from Wednesday 4th May to Sunday 12th June 2016
Terme di Diocleziano
Aula Ottagona – Ex Planetario
Via Giuseppe Romita, 8
Roma
“In acqua: H₂O molecole di creatività” is an extensive exhibition dedicated to water and how it inspired different forms of creativity. Sponsored by Acea SpA and mounted in collaboration with the Superintendence for the Colosseum and the central archaeological area of Rome, the exhibition, which also falls under the patronage of the Regione Lazio and the Italian National Chamber of Fashion, will be held from 3 May to Sunday 12 June 2016 at the Aula Ottagona – Planetario of the monumental complex of the Roman National Museum – Baths of Diocletian, an archaeological site of rare beauty, renowned for its history and architectural elegance. Like the obvious connection between the theme of the exhibition and the baths, the Aula Ottagona of the Baths of Diocletian, a sumptuous room which incorporates the frigidarium, becomes the ideal backdrop for unexpected interpretations of water.
The exhibition, curated by Stefano Dominella and Bonizza Giordani Aragno, uses narrative to explain how this natural element is not only vital to man and the entire planet but also how it has inspired and continues to inspire art, photography and fashion.
Water is the symbol of life: indispensable and irreplaceable, it flows through the history of man and is an essential element that has allowed civilizations to develop. Since time immemorial, it has served as an object of representation: in mythology, literature, music, theatre and art in general.
The exhibition, which features the water-inspired creations of several well-known artists, includes installations by Enrica Borghi with her ‘Queen of waste”, Federico Paris with his ‘Source’, Ilaria Sadun with her ‘Drops’ and David Pampili with his “T-SHE H₂O”. Among the garments displayed in the section dedicated to fashion, particularly worthy of note are the PVC cape designed by Giorgio Correggiari for Virna Lisi and a sculpture dress entitled ‘Foco a mare’ designed by Guillermo Mariotto for Gattinoni, an overt couture statement against the human tragedy of emigrants. Another item exhibited, serving as a metaphor of the scourge of our times, is a life jacket, a symbol of safety and rebirth, for those who cross the water in search of a new life.
Water, in all of its multiple forms conveys the true essence of life.
By following the rhythm of the narrative, we explore the path marked by different styles and periods, created for a journey into the world of fashion explaining ‘how we were and how we are’ amidst revival and the ‘here-and-now’. A sort of cultural metaphor in which signs of the fragmentation of styles, the mélange of genres and new messages that broaden the concept of identity are evident.
The exhibition also features creations by renowned designers, emerging designers, couturiers who have contributed to consolidating the success of Italian fashion and international guests who have interpreted the theme in all of its various meanings.
The 91 creations on exhibit include pieces by Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Gianfranco Ferrè, Laura Biagiotti, Ermanno Scervino, Roberto Cavalli, Enrico Coveri, Chiara Boni, Max Mara, Pino Lancetti, Antonio Marras, Romeo Gigli, Ken Scott and Krizia.
The roster of special international guests features big-names like Maurizio Galante, Issey Miyake, Martin Margiela, Junya Watanabe, Adeline André.
Among the emerging designers, particularly worthy of note are Tiziano Guardini , Italo Marseglia, Alessandro Consiglio and Santo Costanzo. The exhibition also includes a section dedicated to the birth of Italian Haute Couture represented by Fernanda Gattinoni, Irene Galitzine, Jole Veneziani, André Laug and Battilocchi and also pays tribute to the world of Italian cinema and theatre, with costumes signed by Piero Tosi and Pier’Alli.
Following on is a range of creations allied with the theme of water, from bathing costumes by Laura Urbinati to ‘waterproof’ dresses by Burberry, K-Way and Carta e Costura, right up to the brightly-coloured creations featuring next generation fabrics by Stone Island. The exhibition ends with a display of equipment and uniforms borrowed from the Italian Navy, including gear worn by deep sea and scuba divers, an Admiral’s uniform and those worn by the ordinary sailors. In addition, a photographic gallery (by Paolo Belletti) captures water as a metaphor for life and reveals the fountains of Rome during cold winter mornings.
The catalogue published by Gangemi, includes two contributions; one written by Adriana Mulassano entitled ‘Acqua di Bellezza e Acqua di Salute’ (‘Water for Beauty and Water for Health’), and the other by Giacomo Santucci called ‘Acqua Santa’ (‘Holy Water).
TECHNICAL SHEET
63 dresses and 28 accessories on exhibit:
Giorgio Armani, Adeline Andrè, Albertina, Andre Laug (private collection), Antonio Marras, Battilocchi, Burberry (private collection), Carta e Costura, Chez Dédé, Chiara Boni, Alessandro Consiglio, Co.Ro, Dal Co’, Doria 1905, Enrico Coveri, Ermanno Scervino, Fondazione Gianfranco Ferrè, Gianni De Benedittis, Fabiani (Enrico Quinto e Paolo Tinarelli historical archive), Fondazione Ken Scott, Gattinoni, Giorgio Correggiari (Fondazione Giacomini Meo Fiordt Onlus – Villa Mazzucchelli), Gucci (private collection), Irene Galitzine, Issey Miyake (private collection), Italo Marseglia, Krizia, K-Way, Lancetti (collezione privata), Laura Ashley (private collection), Laura Biagiotti, Laura Urbinati, Marimekko (collezione privata), Marina Corazziari, Mario Valentino, Martin Margiela (private collection), Maurizio Galante, Max Mara, Melissa by J. Maskrey, Melissa by Jeremy Scott, Patrizia Fabri, Petra Reinhardt, Pier’Alli (Annamode Costumes historical archive), Piero Tosi (Archivio Storico Annamode Costumes), René Caovilla, Roberto Cavalli, Romeo Gigli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stone Island, Santo Costanzo, Superga, Tiziano Guardini, Valentino (Enrico Quinto e Paolo Tinarelli historical archive), Walter Albini (private collection).
N.6 uniforms courtesy Marina Militare Italiana.
Photos: N. 16 photos by Paolo Belletti, printed and showed in lightboxes
Art installations by:
Enrica Borghi, “La regina dei rifiuti”
Mario Luca Giusti, “Acqua da bere”
Federico Paris, “Sorgente”
David Pompili, “T-SHE H₂O”
Ilaria Sadun, “Gocce”
Catalogue:
Gangemi Editore