On Sunday 15 December at 5 p.m., at the GiArA - Gipsoteca di Arte Antica e Antiquarium of the University of Pisa, the exhibition A memoria di forma opens, with works by Caterina Sbrana and Gabriele Mallegni, curated by Pietro Gaglianò. The exhibition is organised under the patronage of the Municipality of Pisa and in collaboration with Palazzo Blu**.
The works on show play with the moulding technique, historically used to make plaster casts of ancient sculptures. Caterina Sbrana and Gabriele Mallegni use this technique to explore the theme of memory, lack and regeneration. Starting from fractures and lesions in sculptures and architectural surfaces, they transform absence into a source of creative inspiration to create ceramic and terracotta works that contaminate ancient and modern forms, natural and artificial elements. The result is chamber of wonders oddities, hybrid vases, dreamlike creatures, post-apocalyptic architecture and punk portraits that dialogue with the Gipsoteca's collection of classical sculpture, inviting the visitor to immerse himself in the fantastic, but also to reflect on and assimilate the idea that the work of art can remain an open question, that it lends itself to multiple interpretations and that it is legitimate to formulate an interpretation based on personal knowledge and experience.
The exhibition will be open until 1 March 2025 with the following opening times:
- Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Sunday and Monday closed
A wide-ranging cultural programme has been organised to accompany the exhibition, including lectures, guided tours, workshops for schools, concerts, and routes dedicated to people living with Alzheimer's.
PROGRAMME
Sunday 15 December at 5 p.m. - exhibition inauguration with speeches by Anna Anguissola, Pietro Haglianò and Chiara Tarantino;
Sunday 22 December at 6 p.m. - concert with Anais Drago and Peppe Frana. For information and reservations call + 39 392 8557276;
Tuesday 14 January, 4 p.m. - ‘A brilliant memory. Historical memory and artistic practice’, a guided tour of the exhibition and a walk to the Palazzo alla Giornata, to discover the visible and invisible wounds left on the city of Pisa by the bombing of World War II. With historian Gianluca Fulvetti (Department of Civilisation and Forms of Knowledge);
January and February - dialogues and workshops with artists for people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia and their carers. In collaboration between the artists and USID (Office for Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities). Three meetings, to be chosen from Group A: 21 January, 4 and 11 February 15.00-17.00. Group B: 27 January, 10 and 17 February 10 a.m.-12 noon;
Tuesday 18 February 10 a.m. - guided tour of the exhibition with the artists. Followed by Playlist dell'impronta, a story by Caterina Sbrana. From Laetoli's walk to contemporary art a short journey, a selection of prints, casts and matrices that have marked the collective imagination and artistic practice;
Information and booking info.gipsoteca@sma.unipi.it
Friday, February 21 at 4 p.m. - guided tour by Pietro Gaglianò and presentation of the exhibition catalogue (Pisa University Press), curated by Chiara Tarantino and Anna Anguissola, with texts by Anna Anguissola, Felice Cimatti, Pietro Gaglianò, Annalisa Metta, Donatella Puliga, Chiara Tarantino;
Tuesday, February 25 at 4 p.m. - "A brilliant memory. Historical and artistic memory", guided tour of the exhibition and walk to the Palazzo alla Giornata, to discover the visible and invisible wounds left by the bombing of the Second World War on the city of Pisa. With the historian Gianluca Fulvetti (Department of Civilization and forms of knowledge). A workshop with artists will follow;
Information and booking info.gipsoteca@sma.unipi.it
Saturday, March 1 at 4 p.m. - closing of the exhibition and return of the work made by the participants in the project Served by you: a tea serving made of soft clay from the matrix of an old family servant of the artists, That manipulated and transformed by the participants becomes new and unique. From an idea of Caterina Sbrana and Gabriele Mallegni in collaboration with USID - services office for the inclusion of students with disabilities. The following speakers: Anna Anguissola, Francesca Corradi, Gabriele Mallegni, Caterina Sbrana and Chiara Tarantino.
**Visitors to A memoria di forma can take advantage of the reduced ticket for the visit to the permanent collection of the Blue Palace and the exhibition From War to Liberation. Pisa 1940-1945. Promotion valid until 11 May 2025, presenting the coupon issued by the Gipsoteca at the ticket office.
For more information and special closures: https://www.gipsoteca.sma.unipi.it/.
