Volumnia presents One hour of light, a retrospective exhibition that tells the story of Davide Groppi through lamps, lighting constructions and scenographic insights that lend depth to darkness and substance to light.
The story of Davide Groppi is that of a formidable inventor of lights. An international designer and entrepreneur, over four decades he has distilled a distinctive aesthetic applied to light, resulting in a collection of lamps that have received awards and widespread recognition.
For Groppi, the design of light embraces architecture, evokes artistic forms, complements space and nurtures relationships.
Volumnia opens its doors to a major retrospective exhibition that chronicles a journey begun in 1988. One hour of light, curated by Marco Sammicheli, is not only an exploration of the designer's creations, but also a mechanism envisioned by Groppi himself to give visitors a moment of wonder.
The exhibition unfolds as a machine of marvels in which lamps, luminous constructions and scenographic insights give depth to darkness and substance to light.
Between poetry and industry, the exhibition traces the symbiosis of language, design and enterprise so distinctive of Groppi, who often likes to say: I am my lamps.... read the rest of the article»
Davide Groppi has been inventing and manufacturing lamps under his eponymous brand since the late 1980s. His creative independence has led him to develop original and recognisable designs characterised by simplicity, lightness, emotion, invention and amazement, now distributed worldwide.
His lamps are created to give shape to an idea, a need or a meaning, with inspirations drawn from art, the ready-made, magic and the desire to play with light. For Davide Groppi, light is a wonderful opportunity to surprise, seduce and move the viewer.
Over time he has designed products, installations and projects for homes, shops, museums, restaurants and hospitality spaces, collaborating with leading names in the design sector. His work has been published and awarded on numerous occasions. Among the honours received are the ADI Compasso d'Oro for the lamps NULLA in 2014, SAMPEI in 2014 and ANIMA in 2024.
Marco Sammicheli is curator for design, fashion and crafts at Triennale Milano and director of the Italian Design Museum. Since 2018, as Supervisor of the International Exhibition, he has represented Triennale Milano at the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris. He has curated exhibitions for museums and galleries worldwide and authored monographs and contributions to thematic publications.
Volumnia was established in 2018 and occupies the spaces of the 16th-century Basilica of Sant'Agostino in Piacenza. Long abandoned and hidden from the public, the church has been revitalised thanks to the vision of Enrica De Micheli. The project has become a place of research where historical design meets art, offering a rich cultural programme of exhibitions and events.
Title: Davide Groppi. Un'ora di luce
Opening: March 26, 2026
Ending: May 26, 2026
Organization: Volumnia
Curator: Marco Sammicheli
Place: Piacenza, Volumnia
Address: Stradone Farnese 33 - 29121 Piacenza (PC)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am–1 pm and 3 pm–6 pm
More info on this website: https://www.volumnia.space
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