The MAC presents "The bronzes of Riace. The look of Luigi Spina"

Next June 29, the Museum of Archeology of Catalonia will inaugurate "The bronzes of Riace. The look of Luigi Spina", a photographic exhibition focused on one of the most exceptional discoveries in the history of archaeology. The exhibition is the result of the collaboration between the museum and the Museo Archeologico nazionale di Reggio Calabria, where the iconic bronze sculptures are exhibited.

Luigi Spina's photographs capture the artistic essence of the "Riace Bronzes", masterpieces of classical Greek sculpture. Spina reveals a new dimension of these emblematic sculptures, immersing viewers in the very essence of their history and meaning. Through the images, in large format, we tour in detail the anatomy of the statues of the two heroes, masterpieces of classical Greek art. The ship that transported them was shipwrecked in ancient times and after they were found by chance in 1972, a meticulous restoration managed to recover their maximum splendor.

The Riace Bronzes are two exceptional bronze sculptures that date from the 5th century BC and were found in the sea, in 1972, near Riace Marina, in the province of Reggio Calabria (Italy). The two sculptures are considered among the most significant sculptural masterpieces of Greek art, and among the direct testimonies of the great master sculptors of the classical era. They are currently on display at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Regio Calabria, an institution, city and region of which have become a cultural symbol of universal projection. Since its discovery, its timeless beauty has captivated millions of people around the world.

The renowned and famous Italian photographer Luigi Spina was also captivated by the beauty and history behind these works. This led him to embark on a unique and exciting artistic project to capture its essence and transmit its greatness to the world. With his camera, Luigi Spina has succeeded in revealing a new dimension of these emblematic masterpieces.

About Luigi Spina:

Luigi Spina (1966) is a renowned Italian photographer, passionate about classical antiquity. His main fields of research are amphitheatres, the civic sense of the sacred, the links between art and faith, ancient cultural identities, the comparison with classical sculpture, among other topics linked to archeology and ancient art. Its guiding thread is the search for beauty. A beauty that has always been fleeting and temporary. A beauty that, however, is mythical and regenerative in terms of the transience of human life and the fragility of human certainties.

He has published more than 22 books of personal research and has carried out prestigious photographic campaigns for institutions and museums. His work has been exhibited in numerous museums in Italy and around the world, either permanently or through temporary exhibitions.

In his photographic work on the "Riace Bronzes" Luigi Spina captures all the beauty of the nudity on these two masterpieces of antiquity. In his words "the aim is to create a dialogue with the classic that has its own transversal force and that is not at all anachronistic. The purpose of my photography is to highlight the contexts. The Riace Bronzes have lost their context. Now they belong to everyone and at the same time to no one. Then it is up to the photographer to offer contemporaneity."

The opening of the exhibition will take place on June 29 at 7pm at the MAC. Limited capacity, please confirm your attendance at macvisites.acdpc@gencat.cat or by calling 934 232 149.