Franco Simongini's art documentaries return to Rome's Accademia di Belle Arti
From November 21 to 24, 2017, the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma is hosting a video series called "Franco Simongini. Come nasce un'opera." This series features art documentaries made by the late filmmaker and critic for RAI, spanning from 1969 to 1991. Originally held at MACRO in 2014 to mark the 20th anniversary of Simongini's death, the event showcases notable 20th-century Italian sculptors like Marino Marini and Emilio Greco. There will be two days of screenings focused on artists linked to the Accademia, including Pino Pascali, along with discussions led by ABAR professors such as Giovanni Albanese. Gabriele Simongini, Franco's son, reflects on how his father’s neorealist roots shaped his approach to art criticism.
Key facts
- The video series 'Franco Simongini. Come nasce un'opera' runs from November 21 to 24, 2017 at Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma.
- Simongini produced over 200 art documentaries for RAI between 1969 and 1991.
- The series focuses on 20th-century Italian sculptors including Marino Marini, Emilio Greco, Umberto Mastroianni, Mario Ceroli, Pericle Fazzini, and Venanzio Crocetti.
- Two of the four days are dedicated to artists who taught or studied at the Accademia, such as Pino Pascali.
- Discussions involve Giovanni Albanese, Cecilia Casorati, Enrico Crispolti, and Helga Marsala.
- Simongini's approach rejected academic criticism in favor of a popular style revealing the artist's humanity.
- Simongini joined RAI in 1961, became head editor in 1971, and created the first art talk show 'Ritratto d'autore'.
- Francesco Vezzoli included Simongini's documentaries in his exhibition at Fondazione Prada in Milan.
Entities
Artists
- Franco Simongini
- Gabriele Simongini
- Marino Marini
- Emilio Greco
- Umberto Mastroianni
- Mario Ceroli
- Pericle Fazzini
- Venanzio Crocetti
- Pino Pascali
- Giovanni Albanese
- Cecilia Casorati
- Enrico Crispolti
- Helga Marsala
- Francesco Vezzoli
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Alberto Burri
- Renato Guttuso
- Roberto Rossellini
- Vittorio De Sica
- Ludovico Ragghianti
- Claudia Giraud
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
- ABAR
- MACRO
- RAI
- RAI-TV
- Fondazione Prada
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Milan