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Bologna: An Autumnal Art Destination

Bologna is the perfect destination for an autumnal escape filled with art and culture. This autumn, the city is enriched by a wide range of exhibitions that celebrate art in all its nuances, designed to engage visitors in unique ways. Let’s begin our journey: discover the most interesting exhibitions of this season.

Two exhibitions dedicated to Antonio Ligabue: Palazzo Pallavicini and Palazzo Albergati.

You won’t have the chance to see just one exhibition dedicated to the painter Antonio Ligabue, but two. Until March 16, 2025, Palazzo Pallavicini will host an exhibition curated by Chiara Campagnoli, Deborah Petroni, and Rubens Fogacci, offering a glimpse into the universe of the Italian artist. With over 60 paintings, 10 sculptures, and 10 drawings, the exhibition will trace the life of the artist capable, with his paintings, of expressing the beauty and pain of existence. Ligabue, whose life was marked by suffering and isolation, reveals in his works a deep connection with nature and animals. Tigers, cockfights, and bucolic landscapes are recurring themes in his work. Visitors can admire his stylistic evolution through the different rooms, which host the most famous works, from delicate landscapes to powerful self-portraits, marking a dialogue between the man and his personal universe.
The other exhibition dedicated to Ligabue is at Palazzo Albergati, which will be open until March 30, 2025. About 100 works, including oils, drawings, and sculptures, will tell not only the story of the artist but also his torment. Through a chronological narrative, you will have the opportunity to follow Ligabue in his creative journey, exploring the transformation of his colors and themes: from an earlier, sweeter phase to the strong contrasts of his final period. The self-portraits and works on display invite reflection on the artist, who is often considered a naïve painter, but who in reality manages to communicate the visual force of an emotion in every brushstroke.

Martin Parr: “Short & Sweet” at the Museo Civico Archeologico.

Until January 6, 2025, Martin Parr’s photographs will be on display at the Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna with the exhibition “Short & Sweet”. Parr, one of the most famous British documentary photographers, explores everyday life with a style that is both surprising and engaging. The over 60 photographs on display tell stories of real life, capturing the detail through vivid and provocative images. From his youth in the outskirts of Yorkshire to the clichés of mass tourism, each of Parr’s shots is an invitation to reflect on ourselves and our habits. The exhibition will also include black-and-white works – “The Non-Conformists” and “Bad Weather” – which show life in England, always through the artist’s critical eye. And, of course, there will be the famous color shots of his “Common Sense” project, a snapshot of consumer culture and human behavior.

Ai Weiwei: “Who am I?” at Palazzo Fava

Palazzo Fava, until May 4, 2025, hosts the talent of Ai Weiwei, one of the most appreciated and well-known international artists of recent years. With the exhibition “Who am I?”, the Chinese artist, who has always been committed to defending human rights, invites visitors to explore his creative universe and reflect on the world we live in.
Curated by Arturo Galansino, the exhibition uses many different media, transporting the visitor into a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and reflections on our existence. Bologna, in this season, establishes itself as a true capital of culture in Italy, with exhibitions that are not simply expositions but true emotional and intellectual experiences.

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