Gianni Pettena's participatory installation opens MOTEL in Florence

Gianni Pettena's iconic installation 'Paper/Cosmic Breeze' inaugurates the cultural program of MOTEL, a new space within Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence. The work, first created in 1971 as 'Paper/Midwestern Ocean' at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, is a participatory environment where visitors cut suspended paper strips with scissors, continuously reshaping the space. Curated by Davide Giannella, the installation is enhanced by lighting from the collective Specific (founded by Patrick Tuttofuoco, Andrea Sala, Nic Bello, Alessandra Pallotta, and Elena Morganti) and sponsored by Targetti. The exhibition runs until September 16, 2026, and will conclude with a site-specific performance by the Florentine collective Kinkaleri. MOTEL spans over 3,000 square meters of exhibition areas, outdoor spaces, and historical archives, positioning itself as a new platform for contemporary cultural production.