Armando Testa retrospective opens at Ca' Pesaro during Venice Biennale
From April 20 to September 15, 2024, Ca' Pesaro's Galleria Internazionale di Arte Moderna in Venice will present a retrospective dedicated to Armando Testa (1917–1992), aligning with the Venice Biennale. Curated by Gemma De Angelis Testa, Tim Marlow, and Elisabetta Barisoni, the showcase will feature Testa's contributions across painting, sculpture, drawing, and graphic design. It traces his journey from studying at Turin's Scuola Tipografica Vigliardi Paravia to establishing his advertising firm in 1956. Notable campaigns for brands like Martini & Rossi, Lavazza, and Peroni will be included. Additionally, the exhibition will present his social initiatives and screen the documentary "Armando Testa – Povero ma moderno" (2009). This marks Testa's debut exhibition in Venice, following a donation of 17 pieces by his spouse.
Key facts
- Exhibition runs April 20 to September 15, 2024 at Ca' Pesaro, Venice
- Coincides with the opening of the Venice Biennale
- Curated by Gemma De Angelis Testa, Tim Marlow, and Elisabetta Barisoni
- Armando Testa was born in Turin in 1917 and died in 1992
- He won his first competition in 1937 for ICI
- His studio became an advertising agency in 1956 with offices in Turin, Milan, and Los Angeles
- Created iconic campaigns for Lavazza, Carpano, Pirelli, Lines, Philco, Peroni, and others
- Designed the poster for the 1960 Rome Olympics
- Included social campaigns for Amnesty International and the divorce referendum
- First exhibition of Testa's work in Venice
- 17 works donated to Venice civic collections by his wife
- Gemma De Angelis Testa received the Golden Lion for her donation
- Documentary by Pappi Corsicato from 2009 is featured
- Special project by young street artists
Entities
Artists
- Armando Testa
- Gemma De Angelis Testa
- Tim Marlow
- Elisabetta Barisoni
- Ezio D'Errico
- Pappi Corsicato
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
Institutions
- Galleria Internazionale di Arte Moderna di Ca' Pesaro
- Design Museum London
- Musei Civici di Venezia
- Associazione Acacia
- Scuola Tipografica Vigliardi Paravia
- ICI (Industria Colori Inchiostri)
- Martini & Rossi
- Carpano
- Borsalino
- Pirelli
- Lavazza
- Sasso
- Simmenthal
- Lines
- Philco
- Peroni
- Amnesty International
- Galleria Continua
- Artribune
Locations
- Venezia
- Italy
- Torino
- Turin
- Milano
- Milan
- Los Angeles
- Roma
- Rome