Italian Architecture in the East: EST Exhibition at Fondazione Cini

The exhibition titled 'EST' at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, organized by Luca Molinari, highlights how Italian architecture has impacted various countries, including Russia, China, Vietnam, Albania, and Georgia. It features six key Italian firms: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, AMDL CIRCLE led by Michele De Lucchi, Studio Fuksas, Archea Associati, Piuarch, and M CA headed by Mario Cucinella. The display includes historical materials from the Cini archive, such as 18th-century engravings and maps by Giacomo Quarenghi for Catherine II, as well as photographs by Tiziano Terzani from China, taken between 1980 and 1984. Notable works showcased include RPBW’s GES-2 center in Moscow and De Lucchi’s Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi. An online platform, estexhibition.com, offers a digital atlas with more details and architect interviews. Renata Codello, the Fondazione Cini's Secretary General, emphasized architecture's enduring role in cultural diplomacy.