Antonio's Dream: a Journey Through Art and Textile

The exhibition Antonio’s Dream: a Journey Through Art and Textile, curated by Lorenzo Benedetti, Annie Ratti and Maddalena Terragni reunites Antonio Ratti’s vision and history with Como, the city where his idea of ​​business culture developed, leaving a precious legacy still very much alive.

Intertwining ancient textile research, contemporary works of art and archival materials, the exhibition traces the life, work and vision of industrialist and patron Antonio Ratti, who, together with his company Ratti S.p.A., was one of Italy’s great entrepreneurs. His deep philanthropic and cultural vision reinvigorated Italian industry after World War II.  

The third exhibition dedicated to Antonio Ratti (Palazzo Te, Mantua in 2017; Baths of Diocletian, Rome 2018), Antonio’s Dream: a Journey Through Art and Textile, further illuminates the vision and history of the entrepreneur, expanding the project and engaging directly with the places where he lived and worked all his life.

The journey through the exhibition is divided between public and private spaces of great interest and the headquarters of the Foundation, created by Ratti in 1985, where his textile collection is still kept today. Works realised specifically for the occasion help to create a cohesive visual relationship between artistic research, ancient fabrics, the story of Antonio Ratti and the interior and exterior sites of the exhibition. His idea comes alive again: that experience and knowledge, art and experimentation are fundamental tools to understand one’s time and generate new ideas.

The exhibition is hosted at Villa Olmo and Villa Sucota, in their parks and in the city, creating a network between focal points of Como’s cultural fabric.

The heart of the exhibition is Villa Olmo, a short walk from the city centre. Thanks to the display designed by the architect Philippe Rahm and graphic designed by Wolfe Hall, archival materials and ancient fabrics interact with the contemporary works of art in the neoclassical rooms of the villa. Artists who have collaborated with the Foundation over the years, such as John Armleder, Luigi Ontani, Giulio Paolini, Walid Raad, Yvonne Rainer, Julia Brown, Vincent Ceraudo, Zishi Han, Moira Ricci and Oriol Vilanova, have created works designed specifically for these spaces, responding to the vision and legacy of Antonio Ratti. A documentary by Domenico Palma, reveals Antonio Ratti through the words and memories of those who collaborated with him, and shared his dreams and visions.
The exhibition extends into the gardens of the Villa and along the park of Kilometer of Knowledge with works by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Liliana Moro, Giulio Paolini and Rä di Martino.

The journey through the exhibition ends at Villa Sucota, the final stage of the show and headquarters of the Antonio Ratti Foundation. The park of the Villa, which already houses permanent works by Gerry Bibby, Jimmie Durham, Liliana Moro, Matt Mullican and Richard Nonas, will be enriched by installations by artists who over the years have participated in the CSAV - Artists’ Research Laboratory, including Invernomuto, Daniel Jablonski and Oscar Santillan.

Antonio Ratti’s textile archive are introduced. Around the large tables, there are works by artists who have collaborated with the institution for years, from Jimmie Durham to Giuseppe Gabellone, to Mario Garcia Torres and Melanie Gilligan, Joan Jonas, Christina Mackie, Walid Raad and finally Karl Holmqvist, who is also part of the exhibition’s opening programme of performances.

The exhibition extends to the city, Alfredo Jaar’s installation has been projected on the facade of the Casa del Fascio during the opening, while Hans Haacke’s work is installed on the facade of the Teatro Sociale and at former San Francesco Church (Cultural Space Antonio Ratti). 

With John Armleder, Julia Brown, Vincent Ceraudo, Rä Di Martino, Jimmie Durham, Gaia Franchetti, Giuseppe Gabellone, Mario Garcia Torres, Melanie Gilligan, Hans Haacke, Zishi Han, Karl Holmqvist, Invernomuto, Alfredo Jaar, Daniel Jablonski, Joan Jonas, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Christina Mackie, Liliana Moro, Luigi Ontani, Domenico Palma, Giulio Paolini, Diego Perrone, Walid Raad, Yvonne Rainer, Moira Ricci, Oscar Santillán, Oriol Vilanova.

In collaboration with: Comune di Como
Supported by: Fondazione Cariplo, Ratti S.p.A., Mondriaan Fonds, Accion Cultural Española, Confindustria Como, Banca Generali, Teatro Sociale di Como
Technical sponsors: Flos, Fratelli Rossetti, Como Contract s.r.l., Nespoli Adriano s.a.s.