Rome Unveils 25 Years of Italian Contemporary Art
Rome is stepping onto the world stage with renewed energy and purpose, proudly presenting the 18th Quadriennale d’Arte. Titled Fantastica, this extraordinary exhibition at the historic Palazzo delle Esposizioni is far more than a simple display, it is both a powerful declaration (an adjective describing the creativity on show) and a dynamic call to action (a verb, meaning “imagine,” “look forward,” and “share a vision”).
The Quadriennale serves as a crucial moment for deep reflection on contemporary Italian creativity, aiming to reposition the Eternal City alongside major global capitals.
A Visionary Representation of the 21st Century
Fantastica invites visitors to immerse themselves in 25 years of Italian contemporary art, spanning from the early 2000s through 2025. The exhibition is a testament to the vision of the late Luca Beatrice, who conceived and designed its path.
The massive show features 187 works across roughly 2,000 m², presented by a diverse collective of 54 living artists. Notably, this is an opportunity to discover new voices, as 45 of these artists are having their first Quadriennale, and 16 are under 35. This “choral ensemble” promises a multi-faceted experience for every visitor.
Five Paths to Discovery
To navigate the complexity of our modern age, Fantastica is divided into five distinct chapters, each handled to a renowned curator. These sections challenge established notions by investigating five crucial paths of inquiry:
• Self-Portrait (Curated by Luca Massimo Barbero): this section moves beyond simple self-admiration (Narcissus). The self-portrait is presented as a “threshold between two communicating worlds”, offering a profound exploration of identity.
• Full Memory (Curated by Francesco Bonami): focuses on the essential artistic principles of independence and autonomy, defining what it means for artists to claim their own creative space.
• The Time of Images (Curated by Emanuela Mazzonis di Pralafera): dedicated specifically to photography, this chapter recognizes that the medium has evolved past mere representation; it is now a powerful form of revelation.
• Untitled (Curated by Francesco Stocchi): this path restores the centrality of the artist, interpreting their role as one of co-creation, where the subject and the process mutually define the art.
• The Unfinished Body (Curated by Alessandra Troncone): perhaps the most evocative focus, this section confronts narratives about the body, including human and non-human forms. The body is defined as an “embodied, material, and tangible dimension”, characterized by incompleteness as a state of perpetual tension, openness, and permeability. It is a thrilling journey that intertwines myths of the past with futuristic visions.
Echoes of History: The 1935 Quadriennale
Adding depth to the contemporary showcase, the exhibition features a remarkable parallel tribute: “The Young and the Masters,” a historical survey of the 1935 Quadriennale, curated by Walter Guadagnini. The 1935 edition was a landmark event that originally featured approximately 700 artists and 2,000 works.
Visitors will have a rare chance to see works from that era that “have truly not been seen for a very long time”. Among the treasures is the extraordinary terracotta sculpture, The Acrobat by Romagnoli from ’32.
Designed for Discovery
The physical experience of the exhibition, designed by BRH+ / Barbara Brondi & Marco Rainò, is integral to the storytelling. The designers focused on the concept of “designing the voids” to guide visitors through dynamic pathways that recall the “long sightlines” cited by Costantino Dardi.
For the contemporary exhibition Fantastica, the installation employs light and transparent textile veils with aluminum frames. These architectural devices appear and disappear depending on the visitor’s viewpoint, metaphorically linking the distinct curatorial sections while respecting the palace’s immense scale.
In contrast, the historical section upstairs utilizes a more extroverted architecture marked by the deliberate use of color, referencing the historical palette of the 1935 event. This contrast between light, modern transparency downstairs and bold, historical color upstairs ensures a compelling and unforgettable journey.
Fantastica is an invitation to engage with the imagination, to look beyond the immediate, and to absorb the unlimited energy of Italian art. Do not miss this opportunity to be part of Rome’s cultural moment.
From October 11, 2025, to January 18, 2026
Palazzo delle Esposizioni – Via Nazionale 194
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–8pm
Ticket: Full price ticket €12.50
