Alfredo Pirri Returns to GNAMC with New Permanent Installation

Alfredo Pirri has been commissioned for a second permanent installation at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAMC) in Rome, opening November 27, 2025. The new version of his 'Passi' cycle occupies 300 square meters in one of the first rooms, replacing a previous installation removed in 2015 under director Cristiana Collu. Pirri's work centers on Antonio Canova's 'Hercules and Lichas' (1795-1815), surrounded by 12 marble sculptures from the museum's collections, including works by Bertel Thorvaldsen, commissioned by Prince Alessandro Torlonia. The installation features a cracked mirror floor that reflects the sculptures and visitors, creating a theatrical scene. Director Cristina Mazzantini, who restored the GNAMC acronym and introduced the 'Artist at GNAMC' program, selected Pirri for this site-specific project, signaling a break from Collu's previous approach. The work explores themes of violence, madness, and mythology, with Pirri noting the shift from female figures in 2011 to a male-dominated narrative now.