“M(A)Y FIBER – Art and Textile Paths between Tradition and Sustainability” marks the return of textile culture to Busto Arsizio, involving the city from 4 May to 2 June with a series of events that intertwine contemporary art and environmental sustainability . This widespread exhibition combines the emblematic works of Michelangelo Pistoletto with an exploration of fabric as an artistic medium and symbol of sustainable innovation.
Pistoletto’s installations, “Venere degli stracci” and “Terzo Paradiso”, are located respectively in the Palazzo Marliani Cicogna and in the square garden of the Museum of Textiles and Industrial Tradition. The Palace, home to the municipal library and art gallery, and the Museum, once the fulcrum of the cotton industry, dialogue with the industrial history of Busto Arsizio, enriching its contemporary narrative.
At the same time, the MINIARTEXTIL 2024 exhibition, managed by the ARTE&ARTE cultural association of Como, offers a selection of minitextiles in various city locations, transforming professional studios and companies into temporary galleries that celebrate the versatility of fabric as an art form. This series of exhibitions, including the “Secrets of Blue” exhibition at the Textile Museum, reveals the techniques and aesthetics related to the color blue in textile design, enriching the dialogue between past and present with historical and contemporary pieces.
The event also dives into education and community engagement through guided tours, family workshops, and a series of meetings culminating in a sustainability panel discussion. Here, the Cittadellarte Onlus Foundation collaborates with local artists and companies to reflect on how art can influence and promote sustainable practices in the textile industry.
