The Italian Cultural Institute presents "The Aesthetics of Technology"

The opening night reception on February 16th of “The Aesthetics of Technology” - an exhibit of photographs by Italian photographer Niccolò Biddau at the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco - was a great success. The three floors of the Institute’s new location were an ideal frame for the beautiful black and white images, which provide a “behind the scenes” look at Italian designers and companies: Alessi, Bayer Italia Group, Missoni, Beretta, Artemide, B&B Italia, and many others.

The artist from Turin wasn’t new to San Francisco’s gallery scene, as he presented the exhibit “Piemonte Industria” at the Museo ItaloAmericano on November 4, 2010. For both projects he worked actively with the Associazione Piemontesi nel mondo of Northern California. Taken from two books realized in collaboration with Confindustria and the Chambers of Commerce of Lombardy & Piedmont, the 30 photographs confer importance to northern Italian manufacturing, and clearly express the familiar bond between industry and the surrounding territory.

These images offer the public a surprisingly fascinating perspective on what industries can really show when observed from an artistic point of view. After opening remarks from the Italian Cultural Institute’s Director Amelia Carpenito Antonucci, the evening continued in the IIC lecture hall with an open interview of Biddau by the Istituto’s interns, Erica Chemel and Roberto Natalini. Finally, the related industrial film series was introduced: “Piemonte Industria”, featuring films from some of the most prestigious Italian firms’ archives.

The introduction was a sort of preview of the film series and featured two short movies: “La Borsalino” (1913) and “Sotto i tuoi occhi” (1931), by director Mario Camerini and starring Isa Pola. For the first time in the United States these rare and valuable films will be screened every Tuesday at the Italian Cultural Institute from February 22 to March 15. The film series is organized in collaboration with Regione Piemonte and Archivio Nazionale Cinema d’Impresa, and showcases films from Fiat, Rai, Telecom Italia, and Martini&Rossi, following their evolution over the years and covering almost a century of Italian history and life. While the exhibition will be on view through March 18th on the first floor of 814 Montgomery street, the detailed program of the film series is as follows:

- 22 Feb 6:30 pm: FIAT

- 1 March 6:30 pm: RAI

- 8 March 6:30 pm: TELECOM Italia

- 15 March 6:30 pm: MARTINI & ROSSI

For further information visit www.iicsanfrancisco.esteri.it

Roberto Natalini
Istituto Italiano di Cultura San Francisco