“Beautiful and exciting.” This is the opinion expressed by the bishop of Piacenza mons. Adriano Cevolotto on the exhibition Icorne underway at the PalabancaEventi in via Mazzini and which offers an immersive (virtual) journey into the three wonders of Piacenza: theEcce Homo by Antonello da Messina, the Round of Botticelli and the Portrait of a lady by Klimt.
Mons. Cevolotto – accompanied by the director of the Cultural Heritage Office of the Diocese Manuel Ferrari – was welcomed by the president of Bank of Piacenza Giuseppe Nenna and the deputy general director Pietro Boselli. Present at the visit were the Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Piacenza Christian Fiazza and Robert Gionelli of the Piacenza and Vigevano Foundation.
The illustrious guests entered the environment created in the Sala Corrado Sforza Fogliani by NEO (Narrative Environments Operas) and characterized by a large round screen nine meters in diameter on which the images of the three enlarged works are video-projected in sequence, in very slow movement. The round shape is a primary shape that stands out in the square of the wall. The entire floor is affected by a projection of slightly moving water. The backdrop changes depending on the painting, alternating different chromatic atmospheres and suggestions. Some key words, or short phrases, emerge from the liquid element evoking the main messages of each work: pain and resignation, humility and grace, charm and seduction.
The soundtrack is also very popular, with three “movements” composed ad hoc that create different atmospheres depending on the work displayed: Lacrymosa from Verdi’s “Messa da Requiem” for the Ecce Homobecause in addition to the religious theme it talks about tears associated with water that reflects as if it were a lake of tears; The Virgin of Angels from “La Forza del Destino” – also by Verdi -, for the Tondo, because it is a prayer to the Virgin with the hope that she will envelop us with her mantle as she is represented in the painting; Always free from “La traviata” because it is a hymn to freedom of customs just like Klimt wants the Lady.
Tomorrow, on the occasion of the departure of the “Piacenza Fridays” (and so for all the other Fridays), the exhibition Icons will remain open until 11pm (from 4pm), while the Pinacoteca of the Civic Museums of Palazzo Farnese, for Monday 1 July (departure day of the third stage of the Tour de France from Piacenza), has changed the entry time: no longer from 10am to 1pm and from 3pm to 6pm, but from 12pm to 6pm (Latest entry at 5 p.m).
We remember that Icons is an initiative promoted by Rete Cultura Piacenza (consisting of the Foundation, Region, Province, Municipality, Chamber of Commerce of Emilia, Diocese) in collaboration with Galleria Ricci Oddi and Collegio Alberoni and with the contribution of the Bank of Piacenza.
On the weekends from 15 June to 7 July, free shuttle bus services will be organized to encourage visitors along a route that is not only immersive but also real. Furthermore, once they have obtained the ticket at PalabancaEventi, visitors to the exhibition will be able to show up at the locations where the three masterpieces are exhibited and obtain a discount for access. Without the ticket, the ticket will be full price.
This is the summary of the exhibition times at PalabancaEventi and of the museums where the three masterpieces are exhibited.
Times and days of access to the “Icônes” exhibition at PalabancaEventi
From Tuesday to Thursday: 4pm – 8pm
Friday: 4pm – 11pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 12pm / 4pm – 8pm
Special openings:
Saturday 29 June: 10am – 12pm / 4pm – 11pm
Sunday 30 June: 10am – 11pm
Monday 1st July: 10am – 11pm
Thursday 4 July: 10am – 11pm
Times and days of access to the Civic Museums of Palazzo Farnese
Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday: 10am – 1pm and 3pm – 6pm;
Friday – Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm;
Special openings:
Friday 21 June: Art Gallery, from 8pm to 11pm (last entry at 10pm);
Friday 28 June: Art gallery, from 8pm to 11pm (last entry at 10pm);
Saturday 29 June: Art gallery, from 8pm to 11pm (last entry at 10pm);
Sunday 30 June: Art gallery, from 8pm to 11pm (last entry at 10pm);
Monday 1st July: Art gallery, from 12pm to 6pm (last entry at 5pm);
Friday 5 July: Art gallery, from 8pm to 11pm (last entry at 10pm);
For further details on exhibitions and special events and for guided tours, see the website
www.palazzofarnese.piacenza.it or the museum news area at the following telephone number: 0523-492658;
email: [email protected].
Times and days of access to the Ricci Oddi Modern Art Gallery
From Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 1pm;
From Friday to Sunday from 3pm to 6pm;
Special openings:
Friday 21 June from 8pm to 11pm;
Friday 28 June from 8pm to 11pm;
Friday 5 July from 8pm to 11pm;
Saturday 29 June from 8pm to 11pm;
Sunday 30 June from 8pm to 11pm;
Monday 1 July from 9.20am to 1pm; from 3pm to 6pm.
Times and days of access to the Alberoni College and Gallery
From Tuesday to Sunday, access to the Alberoni Gallery (Via Emilia Parmense 67) with guided tours of the
duration of 1 hour; participation without reservation until all available places are available.
Morning: Guided tour at 11am (duration 1 hour);
Afternoon: Guided tours: 4pm and 5.15pm (each visit lasts 1 hour);
Extraordinary openings for Fridays in Piacenza:
Friday 21 June – Friday 28 June – Friday 5 July; guided tour at 8.30 pm (duration 1 hour);
Extraordinary openings for the Tour de France:
Monday 1st July: Guided tours at 4pm and 5.15pm;
Saturday 29 June, Sunday 30 June: guided tour at 8.30 pm (duration 1 hour);
Free Shuttle Bus – Times
Piazza Sant’Antonino (departure) 10.30am – 3.30pm – 4.45pm – 8pm*;
Alberoni Gallery (arrival) 11am – 4pm – 5.15pm – 8.30pm*;
Alberoni Gallery (departure) 12pm – 5pm – 6.15pm – 9.30pm*;
Piazza Sant’Antonino (return) 12.15 – 17.15 – 18.30 – 21.45*.
*Evening shuttles available only during extraordinary openings on 21st, 28th, 29th, 30th June and 5th July.
