Belo Horizonte, exhibition and conference “Piazze [In]visibili”

The Consulate of Italy in Belo Horizonte, in collaboration with Casa Fiat de Cultura and the Italian Cultural Institute of São Paulo, has created a virtual photographic exhibition entitled “Piazze [In]visibili ([In]visibile Squares)”. The aim is to highlight squares as spaces for living together, socialising, organising commercial activities, cultural events, and being significant reference points for people and cities. In parallel to this initiative, an online conference on “Power and History: the challenges of the contemporary square” will be held on 31 August (7 pm local time, midnight in Italy), with the participation of Italian architect Carlotta Pinna.

Squares have always been the city’s main architectural space. In every era, the construction of these spaces has followed the evolution of cities and society itself. Since ancient times, cities have been built around living spaces with a social, aesthetic and even educational function. In Italy, the ‘piazza’ has a strong historical power resulting from a slow collective construction and stratification of different architectural languages, with specific solutions for each time and place.

Precisely because of this, these squares could endure over time, adapting to different collective use and being the quintessential icon of public space. Their size is so significant that, even in a pandemic scenario, with large, silent urban voids, squares remain a symbol of renewed beauty, evoking the echo of the city’s stories and experiences in the solitary spectator.

Contemporary squares reproduce the historical forms of traditional spaces. In this way,” comments architect Pinna, “they remain suspended in an aura of cold and sinister artificiality”. Despite being designed to create ideal cities, squares are anonymous places, conceived according to business logic. “It is the architect’s task,” continues Pinna, “to rethink the contemporary square, which today has not found its distinctive features. Citizens, instead, have the power to choose and experience the place that belongs to them, thus orienting The virtual exhibition is available on the website:: https://pracasinvisiveis.com.br/it/. The conference is free, but registration is required on the Sympla platform.