ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Stefano Arienti's Retina Project Wins Italian Council Grant, Explores Tapestry Tradition

exhibition · 2026-05-04

The Retina project, led by Osvaldo Menegaz and supported by the Fondazione Malvina Menegaz, took second place in the 2018 Italian Council competition organized by the DGAAP, part of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Curated by Simone Ciglia and featuring artist Stefano Arienti, it showcases Abruzzo's craftsmanship to a global audience. The first phase kicked off on June 21 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Barcelona. On July 21, the exhibition 'Sul filo dell’immagine – Trame dell’arazzo contemporaneo' will launch at the Fondazione Menegaz in Castelbasso. Tapestries will be crafted at the Arazzeria Pennese in Penne, a workshop famed for its 'basso liccio' technique. The completed works will join the MAXXI Museum's permanent collection in Rome, along with educational initiatives for students.

Key facts

  • Retina project placed second in the 2018 Italian Council competition.
  • Italian Council is promoted by DGAAP of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage.
  • Project curated by Simone Ciglia and entrusted to Stefano Arienti.
  • First phase took place on June 21 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Barcelona.
  • Exhibition 'Sul filo dell’immagine – Trame dell’arazzo contemporaneo' opens July 21 at Fondazione Menegaz, Castelbasso.
  • Tapestries are produced at Arazzeria Pennese in Penne (Pescara).
  • Arazzeria Pennese uses 'basso liccio' technique and has worked with Balla, Basaldella, Capogrossi.
  • Since 2018, Arazzeria Pennese is owned by Brioni.
  • Arienti's work involves digital retino processing of his travel photographs.
  • Final artwork will be part of MAXXI Museum permanent collection.

Entities

Artists

  • Stefano Arienti
  • Giacomo Balla
  • Afro Basaldella
  • Giuseppe Capogrossi
  • Mario Costantini
  • Simone Ciglia

Institutions

  • Fondazione Malvina Menegaz
  • Italian Council
  • Direzione Generale Arte e Architettura contemporanee e Periferie urbane (DGAAP)
  • Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali
  • Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Barcellona
  • Fondazione Menegaz
  • Arazzeria Pennese
  • Brioni
  • MAXXI
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Castelbasso
  • Penne
  • Pescara
  • Barcelona
  • Rome
  • Abruzzo
  • Italy
  • Asola
  • Spain
  • Fez
  • Morocco
  • Musée Batha
  • Campo Imperatore
  • Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Sources