Guglielmo Giannini: Showman and Politician
Guglielmo Giannini: Showman and Politician
History
Location
189 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053Start date
2023-05-11End date
2023-07-31Language
English and ItalianNotes
Exhibition was held for 3 months. Elena Mosconi and myself also conducted a public talk about the exhibition on 11th May (6.30-8pm).Research statement
Background 'Guglielmo Giannini: Showman and Politician’ is a collaborative exhibition between myself, CoAsIt and Elena Mosconi (University of Cremona) that explores the life and impact of Giannini. Politician, journalist, playwright, critic, and film director, Giannini is significant as he was one of the first populist politicians in the c.20. His ability to move across disciplines and areas explains his great success. This exhibition is the culmination of 9 years of collaborative research and scholarship. The exhibition evidences the range of Giannini’s outputs across journalism, theatre, politics, and the cinema, while it also focuses on central moments in his life. Contribution This is the first exhibition to bring Giannini’s many pursuits to the public in an accessible format. It bridges disciplinary divides by showcasing never before seen work in theatre, cinema, journalism and politics, gained from national and Giannini family archives. It introduces local audiences to the idea that contemporary populism can be associated with politicians like Giannini, who was schooled in both theatre and media practices in the c.20. Giving attention to his pioneering work in film criticism (he founded the first film journal in 1919) and filmmaking, it highlights the relationship between spectacle and politics today. Significance "Guglielmo Giannini: showman and politician" sheds light on one of the protagonists of Italian politics after World War II: Guglielmo Giannini, the founder of the ‘qualunquismo’ movement. Employing a historical-biographical approach, the exhibition showcases the many professional activities carried out by Giannini (from journalism to dramaturgy, from criticism to film direction). What these activities highlight are the depth and breadth of Giannini’s creative talents, as well as a period of incubation of political activity. Giannini’s story serves as a historical window onto the past and sheds light on "qualunquismi" in politics today.Publication classification
JC2 Curated Exhibition or Event – Exhibition/EventScale
NTRO MinorExtent
10 x Exhibition panels, Original archival materials (newspapers, books, scripts), public presentations and conversation at CoAsIt (with Sabina Ciuffini as well via Zoom; she is Giannini's famous granddaughter).Recognition, awards & prizes
Interviews: “Guglielmo Giannini: mostra sul padre de L’Uomo Qualunque a Melbourne”, SBS Italian, Victoria Duckett & Elena Mosconi, interview with Magica Fossati, May 6, 2023 (in Italian); Victoria Duckett interviewed on "Viva Italia" Rete italia Podcast by Tony Tardio, 13 May, 2023 (https://omny.fm/shows/ilglobo-podcast/viva-l-italia-with-tony-tardio-46?t=61m20s) 1 full page article on exhibition, Silvia Ferretti, “Tra palcosenico e attivism (anti)politico”, Il Globo, May 1, 2023, p. 31.Event
CoAsIt; 'Guglielmo Giannini: Showman and Politician' exhibitionPublisher
CoAsItPlace of publication
189 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053Usage metrics
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