Paolino Libralato Exhibition at Villa Badoèr Celebrates Scenographic Craft

From June 12 to August 16, 2026, Villa Badoèr in Fratta Polesine will host "Fare Scena", an exhibition produced by Fondazione Aida honoring Italian set designer Paolino Libralato. The show features sketches, photographs, backdrops, and workshop materials, offering an immersive look behind the scenes. Libralato, a leading figure in set realization, has collaborated with La Scala di Milano, the Metropolitan di New York, and the Opéra de Paris, working with directors like Bob Wilson, Beni Montresor, and Jérôme Savary. In an interview with curator Simone Azzoni, Libralato discusses his role as a "scenografo realizzatore"—translating designers' sketches into painted scenery. He emphasizes the importance of copying masters like Canaletto, Tiepolo, Mantegna, De Kooning, and Pollock as training for observation. He identifies as an artisan, arguing that craftsmanship and artistic gesture are inseparable. He warns that 3D printing and AI threaten traditional craft, but believes hand-painted scenery retains an irreplaceable emotional resonance. He urges students to study historical painting and embrace copying as a means of learning. The exhibition runs until August 16, 2026.