Exhibition "Olimpichetto. The Return of an Ambassador"

• Year: 2025
• Site: Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza
• Client: Comune di Vicenza - Musei Civici
• Service required: project and supervision of works

The exhibition design for "Olimpichetto. The Return of an Ambassador" in the Great Hall of the Basilica Palladiana was conceived with the aim of integrating the scenographic reconstruction of the Olimpichetto within the monumental Palladian architecture, creating a dialogue between two distinct architectural styles: the historic architecture of the Basilica and the theatrical architecture of the stage inspired by the Teatro Olimpico.
The main design challenge was to position a large stage structure (approximately 16 metres long and 8 metres high) within a monumental space 19 metres wide and 16 metres high, characterised by large windows and the use of light-coloured Piovene stone. The exhibition design therefore prioritised natural light, embracing its variability throughout the day, to create a dynamic relationship between the stage and the space of the Basilica, in contrast to the traditional museographic approach based on total control of artificial light.
The exhibition design is conceived as a system of theatrical wings, evoking the language of stage design and creating a route around the Olimpichetto. This layout allows visitors to walk around the scene, observing its rear and revealing the mechanisms of the theatrical construction, normally hidden from the viewer.
The exhibition design further develops the narrative of the Olimpichetto's history by integrating exhibition and scenographic elements: these include the restored original costumes, displayed as the true protagonists of the scene and arranged along the route as spectators of the theatrical performance.
Through volumes, colours and varying heights of the wings, the design symbolically evokes the relationship between two cities: the real one visible from the windows of the Basilica and the imaginary one of the theatrical Thebes. In this way, the space of the Basilica becomes the point of convergence between real architecture and theatrical fiction, transforming the exhibition into a living environment that interacts with the venue, the light and the visitors.

Credits
Exhibition director: Valeria Cafà, Musei Civici di Vicenza
Curatorship: Ivan Stefanutti
Setting: Manaly
Lighting design: Mario Nanni
Set design: Adriano Pernigotti
Set restoration: Engim-Professionisti del Restauro
Graphic design: Studio MAMA