100 years after it was written – Hermann Hesse's autobiographical fairy tale in the form of contemporary artists' books
4 November 2023 – 3 March 2024 · Museo Hermann Hesse Montagnola
Childhood of the magician, an autobiographical fairy tale by Hermann Hesse, takes us on a journey through his childhood. In it, he describes the meaning of being a child and his own search for a place in the world of adults, among memories and dreams. Playfully, he immerses himself in the fantastic world of his youth, surrounded by mysterious and fascinating objects of his parental home, that in his eyes come to life.
Thirty-one Italian artists were inspired by the images and feelings evoked by the fairy tale and created artists' books using different techniques and materials. The book becomes thus a work of art that offers the possibility to experience reading in visual and tactile form. Thanks to this new contemporary approach, the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to reread, observe and touch by hand Hesse's literary jewel, full of stimulation and expressive depths.
Curated by: Marcel Henry and Chiara Ottavi
In collaboration with: Libri Liberi and Doppio Senso
Vernissage: 4 November 2023, 16.30 at the Museo Hermann Hesse Montagnola
Finissage: 24 February 2024, 16.30 at the Museo Hermann Hesse Montagnola
Artists: Sandro Asatiani, Alessandro Baldanzi, Beatrice Bartolozzi, Costanza Berti & Carlo Di Gregorio, Patrizio Calafati, Maria Chiara Cecconi, Elena Chiesa, Nicola Civinini, Lido Contemori, Claudia Di Francesco, Laura Felici, Silvia Fossati, Aldo Frangioni & Dorotea Dolce, Enrico Guerrini, Rebecca Hayward, Meri Iacchi, Antonella Iacopozzi, Carla Latino, Marlène Mangold, Monica Michelotti, Barbara Noci, Laura Nutini, Marcello Paoli, Susanna Pellegrini, Antonella Pieraccini, Laura Poli, Beatrice Pulcinelli, Anna Soncini, Giovanna Sparapani, Isabella Vezzani, Simonetta Zanuccoli
With the support of:
And: Comune di Collina d’oro, Repubblica e Cantone Ticino DECS, Fondazione Ing. Pasquale Lucchini, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Hermann Hesse Stiftung Bern, Heiner Hesse-Erben, Fondazione Sir Lindsay e Lady Owen-Jones, Tobias e Oliver Rihs