projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

the photographic exhibition on annibale carracci, reconstructs the life of the artist from his youth in bologna to the years of his maturity spent in rome. his work is extraordinarily rich and varied: drawings, etchings and paintings on numerous subjects, from scenes of everyday life to altar-pieces. the lighting in the exhibition is an element of communication which enhances the eight distinct sections tracing the life and work of the artist. the lighting project was developed through studying the changing relationship between direct lighting on the paintings and indirect architectural light. it is the use annibale carracci himself made of natural light which inspired and proposed the revealing atmospheres of a story in which the visitor is caught up, both intellectually and emotionally. a more gentle and diffused light on the drawings (in keeping with the low number of lux required by the material: max 50 lux) alternates with more direct and concentrated light lending prominence to the colours and brush strokes of the paintings. to integrate the direct light, a scenographic architectural light designed to accentuate the artist's stylistic differences: for the early periods, a penumbra is the only direct light on the paintings, enhancing their dramatic and realistic qualities; for the accademia degli incamminati period the vaulting is lit by narrow beams of warm light; a delicate, diffused light illuminates the roman vaulting, taking on cold shades in the rooms exhibiting landscapes and works with holy images, and warm intimate shades in the rooms where delicate drawings are on display. the exhibition closes with the huge painting of the pietà given prominence by means of oblique lighting concentrated on the work immersed in darkness. the installation and the flexibility of the apparatus used have made it possible to rationalise the lighting, avoiding dazzle and reflection from the larger oil paintings, responding to the various demands of light sources and the intensity of light.