Emiliano Ponzi Exhibition Opens at Revived 18th-Century Pharmacy in Parma

An exhibition of works by illustrator Emiliano Ponzi (born 1978 in Ferrara) has opened at the 18th-century Farmacia di San Filippo Neri in Parma, recently restored and reopened to the public. Curated by Caracol Art Gallery and Camilla Mineo, the show takes its title from Ponzi's cover for Charles Bukowski's poetry collection "Il canto dei folli," republished by Feltrinelli. It spans sixteen years of his career, featuring covers for The New York Times, Le Monde, and La Repubblica, as well as a Penguin Books commission for the publisher's 80th anniversary. The exhibition is the inaugural event of "Antica Farmacia +," a multidisciplinary project led by Camilla Mineo and Chiara Canali (Parma 360 Festival, art direction), Silvano Orlandini (Positive River, music), and Fabio Bonati (Asp Ad Personam, tourism). The initiative will host exhibitions, concerts, conferences, and reading groups across the pharmacy and the adjacent Oratorio di San Tiburzio. Funding comes from a Cariparma foundation grant, Asp Ad Personam (the owners), Positive River Festival, and an Art Bonus crowdfunding campaign from Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Future programming includes young local artists and established names like Sofia Uslenghi and Alice Padovani, with plans for Parma 360's spring festival. The project's slogan is "la cultura è la panacea per tutti i mali" (culture is the cure for all ills).