Elisabetta Benassi's Empire Installed at Palazzo Altemps in Rome
The project Empire by Elisabetta Benassi has been unveiled at Palazzo Altemps, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome, following its initial presentation at the Italian Cultural Institute in London in April 2019. This installation comprises six thousand terracotta bricks, arranged into four distinct structures in the courtyard, contrasting with the labyrinth design seen in London. The bricks, produced in Gloucestershire, UK, feature the word 'Empire' and reflect the style of ancient Roman bricks. Empire won the third Italian Council (2018) competition organized by the DGAAP. It will be displayed until September 1, before moving to Mostyn, Wales, and then permanently settling at Museo Nazionale Romano – Crypta Balbi in Rome starting November 14, accompanied by a documentary exhibition at the Pantheon.
Key facts
- Elisabetta Benassi's Empire is installed at Palazzo Altemps in Rome.
- The work comprises six thousand terracotta bricks.
- It debuted at the Italian Cultural Institute in London in April 2019.
- The bricks were made in the Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, using violet-black clay.
- Empire is a winning project of the third Italian Council (2018) promoted by DGAAP.
- The exhibition runs until September 1, 2019.
- The work will later travel to Mostyn, Wales, and permanently reside at Crypta Balbi in Rome from November 14.
- Daniela Porro, director of the Museo Nazionale Romano, commented on the project.
Entities
Artists
- Elisabetta Benassi
Institutions
- Museo Nazionale Romano
- Palazzo Altemps
- Italian Cultural Institute of London
- Italian Council
- Directorate General for Contemporary Art and Architecture and Urban Peripheries (DGAAP)
- Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities
- Mostyn
- Crypta Balbi
- Pontifical Academy of the Virtuosi at the Pantheon
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- Royal Forest of Dean
- Gloucestershire
- Wales
- Pantheon