The dream of the legendary years of the Roman «dolce vita», one of the most active periods of Italian cinema, the years during which Cinecittà was defined by the American magazine «Times» the «Hollywood on the Tevere bank», are relived through the exhibition «Ritratti di cinema - L'arte dell'illustrazione di Carlantonio Longi», in the Santa Maria della Scala complex in Siena until the coming 2nd June.
The Siena exhibition, organised by Roberto Longi, valorises the work of father Carlantonio, a poster designer who was able to interpret through images the activities of Italian cinema in those years, from his work as poster designer we received a great number of works: over 300 between tables and original drafts, placards, bills and film posters, as well as documentary material, to bear witness to relations held by Longi with various production houses of the time.
There are also a big number of black and white photos and films made with Longi’s own step 8 camera, documenting both his work as poster designer and a cross-section of the cinema environment of the time, as for example the pauses between takes on the set of «La fortuna di essere donna» (1956) with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, or the short parody films made with Nino Manfredi, Paolo Panelli and Elio Pandolfi, just to mention a few, who were among Longi’s closest friends.
The exhibit will also be completed by a small collection of portraits, tied into the period of his poster designer activity, as well as by a section documenting his production as a graphic designer and illustrator for information publications and culture.
Carlantonio Longi (1921-1980) started his work as portrait artist and cinema poster designer very young, working in the field for almost twenty years (50s-70s) and reaching National fame. In 1970 he moved to Florence with his family, he dedicated himself almost exclusively to painting, taking part in collective and personal exhibitions for which he was especially appreciated, especially in the United States.
Elio Pandolfi, Nino and Erminia Manfredi, dear friends of Carlantonio Longi, and director Lina Wertmüller are honorary chairmen of the scientific committee and promoters of the exhibition.
Ritratti di Cinema - L'Arte dell'illustrazione di Carlantonio Longi
Where: Santa Maria della Scala (Piazza Duomo) - Siena
When: from 24th April to 2 June
Opening times: Monday to Sunday 10-18
Tickets: 5,20 euro, conc. 4,20 euro
Catalogue: published by «Gli Ori»
May.2002
Municipality of Siena
APT Siena
