Gianni Asdrubali's 'Shamorra' Curtain Unveiled at Florence's Teatro Cartiere Carrara

On May 16, 2026, the Teatro Cartiere Carrara in Florence unveiled Gianni Asdrubali's impressive curtain titled 'Shamorra.' This artwork, measuring around 650x1500 cm, was crafted entirely by Asdrubali in just five hours using brooms and unconventional tools, assisted by only one person. The title 'Shamorra,' which translates from Arabic as 'she who shines,' marks the inaugural piece in a project initiated by the Associazione Amici della Contemporaneità, led by Claudio Bertini and Massimo Gramigni, alongside gallerist Santo Ficara, with backing from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze. Originally established in 1978 as Teatro Tenda, the venue was renamed Teatro Cartiere Carrara in March 2024, after previously being called Saschall in the 1990s. Asdrubali's curtain is part of a tradition that includes works by notable artists such as Carla Accardi and Mimmo Paladino. Curated by Marco Tonelli, Asdrubali describes 'Shamorra' as 'a curtain that does not separate, a deep frontality that tends toward the sphere, an impossible sculpture,' echoing themes from his 1988 piece 'Eroica' at the 43rd Venice Biennale, where he challenged visual perception. The grand scale of 'Shamorra' eliminates the stage's horizon, creating a surface that defies depth and invites viewers to immerse themselves in its vastness.