Maison Valentino's creative visionary, Pierpaolo Piccioli, often finds himself at intersections where art meanders into his world of fashion. He admits, "Every time my attention guides me towards an image, I always end up taking it with me, keeping it in a kind of archive of the mind where something happens – a connection, a color, a face." For him, this symbiotic relationship isn't necessarily about merging the domains of art and fashion but about letting them converse in spaces they have in common. The perfect embodiment of this philosophy was the Valentino Des Ateliers collection, conceived in the sanctity of the Atelier, where art and couture thrived in dialogue.

Piccioli's profound reflection on Hieronymus Bosch's triptych, "The Garden of Earthly Delights," during his first collection as Valentino's Creative Director, underscores the depth of his engagement with art. This piece, which incessantly occupied his mind, acted as a beacon, guiding him through uncertainties and pushing him to explore his own creative expanse.

Dating back to 1933, Triennale Milano has had a cherished relationship with painting, fostering dynamic dialogues between varying disciplines. "Italian Painting Today", curated by Damiano Gullì and exquisitely designed by Studio Italo Rota, continues this legacy, assembling 120 masterpieces from Italy's finest artists. Stefano Boeri, President of Triennale Milano, emphasizes the significance of this exhibit in celebrating Triennale's history while interpreting the contemporary art scene through the lens of painting.

These works, spanning from 2020 to 2023, reflect upon the myriad changes and challenges the world faced during these years, from the sweeping pandemic to the burgeoning influence of artificial intelligence on the fabric of artistry. Guglielmo Castelli and Francis Offman are among the illustrious names whose pieces, echoing themes of transformation and interpretation, grace the exhibition.

Maison Valentino's partnership with Triennale Milano, particularly for this exhibition, manifests Pierpaolo Piccioli's sentiment: "Maison Valentino is today a community that generates community, that seeks out spaces and means for creativity." Through the lens of "Italian Painting Today", the world beholds 120 keys, dreams, and pathways that unleash human complexity in liberating trajectories. This endeavor resonates with Piccioli's belief that the true essence of creation and hope emerges not from shared characteristics but from those that set us apart.

With the environment in focus, the exhibition design ensures minimal carbon footprint, incorporating materials that significantly reduce original material quantities and sidestepping the use of adhesives, paints, and welds.

To further enrich this artistic voyage, Triennale Milano supplements the exhibition with a comprehensive catalogue, featuring introspections from key personalities like Stefano Boeri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, and a thought-provoking podcast penned by Tiziano Scarpa.

From October 25, 2023, to February 11, 2024, allow yourself to traverse the corridors of Triennale Milano, where art and fashion dance, not just in tandem but in pure, unadulterated symphony.

credits
(c) Valentino and all credited Artists

more to explore
www.triennale.org