Città Aperta 2025
Vittoriano – Sala Zanardelli, Rome, 2025
Authors: Diana Bagnoli, Alex Majoli, Paolo Pellegrin
Ideation: Edith Gabrielli
Curators: Roberto Koch e Alessandra Mauro
Exhibition Manager: Suleima Autore (Contrasto)
Ligthing Project: Giovambattista Buongiorno
Graphics: Ginevra Costantini (Contrasto)
Contractor: Articolarte srl
Photos: Dinamica Studio
Courtesy: VIVE
Città Aperta 2025 / Rome in the Year of the Jubilee is a visual narrative hosted within the Vittoriano (Altare della Patria), the symbolic heart of the Eternal City, during the Jubilee Year of 2025. Conceived by Edith Gabrielli, Director of VIVE, and curated by Roberto Koch and Alessandra Mauro (Contrasto), the exhibition invites viewers to experience the city and its pilgrims through the lenses of three photographers: Diana Bagnoli, Alex Majoli, and Paolo Pellegrin.
The exhibition unfolds within Sala Zanardelli, a particularly demanding architectural setting: carved into the core of the Vittoriano, the space comprises two overlapping, narrow, and elongated rooms, topped by cross vaults.
The design challenge was twofold. First, to counterbalance the dark, almost oppressive atmosphere of the hosting environment. Second, to develop a highly adaptable exhibition system—since the photographs (in both quantity and final dimensions) would only be disclosed at the project’s conclusion. These constraints shaped the design approach, leading to the use of neutral colors and minimal forms, and the creation of modular components capable of maximizing the display surface. This strategy ensured the curators retained maximum flexibility in composing the final layout.