The Vittoriale degli Italiani, located in Gardone Riviera, currently hosts two significant summer exhibitions. Inaugurated on June 29 and running until October 15, these exhibitions are the result of collaboration between Giordano Bruno Guerri, president of the Vittoriale, and Lorenzo Zichichi from “Il Cigno Arte”. The exhibitions are part of the event titled “See, see: these are the papers I wanted to show you”.
Avant-Garde Architecture by Mauro Reggio
The first exhibition, “Mauro Reggio. Avant-Garde Architecture”, focuses on a series of works that explore urban landscapes, particularly those of Rome and Lake Garda. Curated by Marco Di Capua, the exhibition showcases fifteen oil paintings on canvas where the artist highlights various architectures and perspectives. These works are characterized by the absence of human figures, allowing geometries and colors to take center stage. Reggio reinterprets historical monuments such as gas holders and Baroque buildings through the use of colors typical of Italian tradition and contemporary influences.
Set up at the MAS (Museum of Experimental Art), the exhibition includes emblematic works related to the home of Gabriele D’Annunzio. Among these are “Lake Garda,” “Orchard” from the Vittoriale, and “Dance Pond.” The artist employs pastel colors to depict iconic spaces with precise geometric composition. Giordano Bruno Guerri has described Reggio’s work as paralleling D’Annunzio’s literature: both art forms stem from a love for beauty and classicism.
Sculptures by Paolo Delle Monache: Between Memory and Oblivion
Exiting the MAS, visitors can immerse themselves in the second exhibition dedicated to Paolo Delle Monache, titled “Between Memory and Oblivion.” This exhibition is set in the Park of the Vittoriale and is curated by Nicola Loi from Studio Copernico, with critical text by Marco Meneguzzo. It features five monumental bronze sculptures that reflect on the complex nature of memory.
Delle Monache describes his work as a dialogue with observers; each piece invites reflection on time through symbolic forms. The title of the exhibition itself references two of his sculptures: “Diary,” a perforated cube that houses words and images in a narrative mosaic; and “Between Memory and Oblivion,” which represents three overlapping faces symbolizing the past, present, and future.
The artist’s works focus on human elements—faces, hands—as well as fragmented architectures transformed into kaleidoscopic visions. Each sculpture seems to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding space, creating a harmonious atmosphere between natural and artificial art.
Exhibition Catalogs
Both exhibitions are accompanied by catalogs published by “Il Cigno Arte,” the publishing house also responsible for organizing the exhibition events. Concluding a visit to the Vittoriale degli Italiani during this summer rich in contemporary art, participants can expect a stimulating experience that connects history and artistic innovation in the enchanting context of Lake Garda.
Italian Version