L'AQUILA.- MAXXI L'Aquila has unveiled "True Colors: Textiles, Movement, Colors, and Identity," a captivating exhibition that has transformed the historic Palazzo Ardinghelli into a vibrant exploration of fabric and its profound connection to human experience. The show, which opened on June 7, 2025, and runs until November 16, 2025, was curated by Monia Trombetta, with contributions from Chiara Bertini, Fanny Borel, Donatella Saroli, and Anne Palopoli (for performances).
This comprehensive exhibition draws from MAXXI's own collection, enhanced by loans and new commissions, all interacting with the unique Baroque architecture of Palazzo Ardinghelli. "True Colors" delves into how international artists, from 2000 to the present, utilize textiles to explore diverse themes. Visitors have already seen a wide array of techniques, from fiber experiments to large-scale installations and participatory projects. The works on display use fabric as a versatile medium, addressing issues of tradition, politics, society, and gender, or transforming into interactive furnishings and costumes that invite audience participation.
"Inaugurating my first exhibition as President at MAXXI L'Aquila had a special meaning for me," said Emanuela Bruni, President of Fondazione MAXXI. "'True Colors' is an exhibition that speaks of connections, and this museum is the symbol of the deep bond between MAXXI and the city. MAXXI L'Aquila is a cultural beacon in the heart of a city that is reborn through creativity and knowledge."
Francesco Stocchi, Artistic Director of MAXXI, added, "This exhibition is a collective journey between memory and vision, where the works, many of which were born from dialogue with the territory and its history, have transformed Palazzo Ardinghelli into a living organism."
Highlights of the exhibition include Kaarina Kaikkonen's "Towards Tomorrow," a powerful installation of donated children's clothes, and Jacopo Belloni's mysterious "Girigogolo" figure. Viewers have also experienced the dialogue between works by Isabella Ducrot, Kimsooja, and Yto Barrada, alongside Olga de Amaral's three-dimensional textile compositions. Paola Pivi's site-specific installation "Share, but it’s not fair" has created an intricate suspended embroidery.
A poignant new work by Dana Awartani, "Let Me Mend Your Broken Bones," uses mending on silk to symbolically repair the damage sustained by Palazzo Ardinghelli during the 2009 earthquake. Elsewhere, Gelatin's "Vorm Fellows Attitude" has invited visitors to try on costumes and explore new identities, while Abdoulaye Konaté's "Ocean, Mother and Life" and works by Sanford Biggers and Hassan Musa have showcased rich textile artistry.
Marinella Senatore's new series of banners, "Protest Forms: Memory and Celebration," has incorporated empowering messages collected from the L'Aquila community. The exhibition also features Yinka Shonibare's "Invisible Man," reflecting on migration, and Sheila Hicks's "Constellation Amphibienne," a playful exploration of textiles.
Immersive installations by Alex Cecchetti and Adelaide Cioni have offered unique sensory experiences, with Cecchetti's hand-painted dervish skirts and Cioni's interaction with geometric forms. The exhibition culminates with Rosemarie Trockel's large knitted painting in dialogue with Franz West's "Diwans," an interactive artwork designed for public engagement.
"True Colors" has also featured a lively program of performances, workshops, public talks, and film screenings, many of which draw inspiration from the rich textile heritage of the Abruzzo region. Adelaide Cioni's "Five Geometric Songs" was presented on the opening day, and Harriet Riddell's "InStichYou" project saw her create embroidery inspired by L'Aquila on June 19. Additional performances by Silvia Gribaudi and Adriano Bolognino, alongside workshops by Jacopo Belloni and Claudia Losi, are planned in collaboration with local organizations for the coming months.
