How can we rediscover the connection between man and nature through the eyes of one of the greatest naturalists of antiquity?
The Alessandro Volta Foundation invites the public to answer this question in the exhibition “The catalog of the world: Pliny the Elder and the History of Nature”, which will be held in Como from 3 May to 31 August 2024. This exhibition, curated by the Professor Gianfranco Adornato of the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa, offers an unprecedented overview of Pliny the Elder, showing how his legacy is still alive and relevant today, especially in the context of environmental protection.
The exhibition is divided into an exhibition itinerary that unites the historic former Church of San Pietro in Atrio to the Palazzo del Broletto, enriched by an innovative installation by Paolo Brambilla. The itinerary also includes outdoor spaces and culminates in Vis Comensis, a new multimedia space that opens its doors on this occasion. The works on display come from prestigious Italian and international museum collections, including the Uffizi Galleries and the Vatican Museums, and from city institutions such as the Como Municipal Library.
Interesting is the presence of works by contemporary artists such as Luigi Spina, Fabio Viale, Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly, who found inspiration in the work and historical figure of Pliny. These contemporary works dialogue with ancient texts, creating a bridge between past and present and showing the essential link between man and the natural environment.
The relevance of this exhibition is amplified by the context of the celebrations of the Pliny Bimillennial, a moment of profound cultural reflection on Pliny’s contribution to European science and culture. Supported by prestigious entities such as the Ministry of Culture and the Cariplo Foundation, this exhibition not only honors the memory of an illustrious citizen of Como but also invites an open dialogue on the importance of nature in our daily lives.
