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); Free participation.
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., visitors will be welcomed by the artists and the organiser, Chiara Tarantino (Department of Civilisation and Forms of Knowledge).
The visit will be followed by Playlist dell'impronta, a story curated by Caterina Sbrana: from Laetoli's walk to contemporary art, a short journey, a selection of imprints, casts and matrices that have marked the collective imagination and artistic practice.
Participation is free, but booking is recommended.
Information and booking info.gipsoteca@sma.unipi.it.
A memoria di forma is a project by GiArA and the MARSIA laboratory of the Department of Civilisation and Forms of Knowledge, with the patronage of the Municipality of Pisa, promoted in collaboration with Palazzo Blu, and realised with the support of Francesconi Ceramiche di Massimo Gentili.
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;
Free participation, but reservation required.
Information and booking info.gipsoteca@sma.unipi.it
The activities are organised by GiArA and MARSIA laboratory of the Department of Civilisation and forms of knowledge, under the patronage of the Municipality of Pisa, promoted with the collaboration of Palazzo Blu.
Participants will be able to take advantage of reduced-price tickets to visit the permanent collection of Palazzo Blu and the exhibition Dalla Guerra alla Liberazione. Pisa 1940-1945. Promotion valid until 11 May 2025, presenting the coupon issued by the Gipsoteca at the ticket office.
As part of the exhibition A memoria di forma, which is being held at the Gipsoteca di arte antica e antiquarium of the University of Pisa (GiArA) until 1 March, a path dedicated to people living with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies and their carers is being organised.
Through targeted activities and privileged forms of communication, participants embark on a path that stimulates their emotional and cognitive abilities, fostering moments of well-being and sociability. Thanks to this initiative, art becomes a tool for inclusion and care, helping to maintain a connection with oneself and with others.
The course includes three meetings. You can choose between Group A: 21 January, 4 and 11 February 15.00-17.00 and Group B: 27 January, 10 and 17 February 10.00-12.00.
Participation is free of charge, but must be booked in advance. Information and bookings usid@unipi.it.
The initiative is the brainchild of artists Caterina Sbrana and Gabriele Mallegni in collaboration with USID (the University of Pisa's Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities) and is organised by GiArA and the MARSIA laboratory of the Department of Civilisation and Forms of Knowledge, with the patronage of the Municipality of Pisa, the support of Francesconi Ceramiche di Massimo Gentili, and is promoted with the collaboration of Palazzo Blu.
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/.
