Crafting a Narrative: I teatrini di Renato Ferraro

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The Gallery of Art of Temple University Rome is very pleased to present Crafting a Narrative: The Teatrini of Renato Ferraro, an exhibition of handmade theatre boxes by the masterful craftsman Renato Ferraro. A film documentary Ezio Frigerio 50 anni di teatro con Giorgio Strehler, produced by Renato Ferraro for the exhibition of the same title, and commissioned for the Triennale di Milano in 2016 will be screened.

Renato Ferraro studied stage design at the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti, and architecture at the University of Torino, which he interrupted after earning a placement at the prestigious Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome, conferring his degree in 1971 in film direction studying under Roberto Rossellini. His professional life saw him work as a film director with the RAI Italian Television Station for over 40 years, and during his spare time his love for marionette theaters was expressed in the creation of his teatrini, elaborate, detailed and poetic renderings of stages, with scenes, props and characters. Following his retirement, Ferraro continued full time to create these delightful hand crafted masterpieces, along with ceramic objects illustrating a similar passion for historical, mythological, theatrical subjects, “for his playful enjoyment.”

This exhibition features 12 teatrini, to include scenes from the Italian Commedia dell’Arte, period views of Italian cities, a capriccio inspired by the Italian 16th century architect Andrea Palladio, and an homage to Gustav Wunderwald, the early twentieth century German painter and theatre set designer, among others. Installed at eye level, the theatre boxes invite the spectator to explore Renato Ferraro’s world of fantasy and narrative.