Exhibition: “American Beauty. Da Robert Capa a Banksy”

American Beauty is the name of a marvelous red rose created in France, which, when exported to the United States, became the most popular rose on the North American continent, as well as the iconic flower of the city of Washington. It was the petals of this rose that welcomed the naked body of Angela Hayes in the very popular film of the same name. American Beauty is a magnificent yet fragile rose. Its petals endure long before withering, while the stem quickly rots: an effective metaphor for U.S. society and its obvious and hidden contradictions.

Under the title American Beauty, a selection of 130 works is presented in Padua, at the Centro Culturale Altinate | San Gaetano, from Sept. 13 to Jan. 21, telling the light and shadows of the nation that more than any other has characterized the last century globally, the United States, precisely. Offering this original portrait of the States are as many as 120 artists, American and otherwise, with 130 works.

The sections, identified by curator Daniel Buso, address some of the most important themes to go deep into the analysis of American culture and society. The beginning of the exhibition is dedicated to patriotism, the American flag being the quintessential symbol called upon to represent the typically American nationalistic attachment.

The exhibition goes on to try to sketch the complicated international relationships woven over the past hundred years by the United States. Starting from its participation in World War II to its more recent experiences in Afghanistan and Iran. Another focus of the exhibition examines the U.S. and the conflicts that take place not only thousands of miles away, but also within domestic walls.

Steve McCurry chronicles the most tragic day for Americans: September 11, 2001.

The exhibition also reserves space for the most current issue in the social debate: Black Lives Matter.

It is photography that introduces the visitor to the reading of the U.S. universe. It starts with black and white, with absolute masters such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Diane Arbus and Elliott Erwitt, and moves on to the color images of Steve McCurry, Vanessa Beecroft and Annie Leibovitz.

The itinerary then presents the creations of the masters of Pop Art (James Rosenquist, Robert Indiana and Andy Warhol) and then those of the protagonists of Street Art: Keith Haring, Mr. Brainwash, Obey and Banksy.
From Joe Rosenthal‘s famous propaganda image (extolling the American victory at Iwo Jima over Japan in 1945) to the anarchist uprisings in Banksy’s murals.

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Opening Hours

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday.
The ticket office closes 30 minutes earlier.

Special calendar:
– Oct. 30 and 31, Nov. 1, Dec. 8 and 26, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
– Dec. 24 and 25 closed
– Dec. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– January 1, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
– Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
– January 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tickets:

Audioguide included in the ticket
€ 15.00 open ticket;
€ 14.00 full ticket;
€ 12.00 reduced ticket students 18-26 years old, Carta Effe members, Fai, Trenitalia ticket holders with Padova destination, journalists with card without accreditation, groups over 10 people, adult family;
€ 11.00 groups min. 10 – max. 25 people with guided tour (1 free ticket per group);
€ 10.00 reduced ticket 6-17 years old, disabled, ticket holders of the exhibition “Giorgio de Chirico. Metaphysics continues.”

The exhibition, organized by ARTIKA in collaboration with the City of Padua, Department of Culture and Kr8te, is curated by Daniel Buso.