“Giulio Romano Experience” Design Project
The temporary exhibition “Giulio Romano Experience” is an experience about the history of Mantua and the Palazzo Te narrated through the artworks of the versatile and brilliant artist Giulio Romano. The visitors could enjoy the exhibit promoted by the Municipality of Mantua and organized by the Fondazione Palazzo Te in the palace’s monumental rooms from February 2020 until February 2021.
After the digitization of the building’s heritage that Visivalab carried out in 2019, we were commissioned to conceive and design the itinerary and exhibition layout for the Giulio Romano Experience. In the temporary showcase, the artist’s frescoes and drawings became alive through the application of the latest technologies to the cultural sector –such as immersive experiences with augmented reality, motion graphics, high-definition projectors and surrounding sound effects.
CLIENT Fondazione Palazzo Te
PARTNERS Electa & Punto Rec Studios
YEAR 2020
FEATURES
- Exhibition setup and design project
- Immersive experience
- Augmented reality
- Video Storytelling
- 360º video production & edition
- 3D animation
Project
We envisioned the itinerary in collaboration with the architect Jordi Hernández to recreate the atmosphere of the court of Mantua, one of the most renowned of the European Renaissance.
The narration unfolds in three environments that use different narrative codes and technologies, which involve the public in a suggestive and exciting way. The first one is a fascinating account in images of the entire career of Giulio Romano, who was Raphael’s disciple. The second one focuses on Palazzo Te, the refined style and aesthetic of the artist and his workshop. Finally, the last room is dedicated to his legacy and what it meant for the city of Mantua.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SOFTWARE
- Unity
- MadMapper
- After Effects
- Blender
HARDWARE
- Minimad
1. GIULIO ROMANO, WONDER AS ART’S PURPOSE
The first installation illustrates the life and works of Giulio Romano, tracing with images the stages of his career: from training in Raphael’s workshop in Rome to his arrival to Mantua, at the request of Federico II Gonzaga, to the spread of his brilliant ideas throughout Europe.
We conceived this space as an immersive tunnel made of wood and steel that created a prospective effect, with projections and mirrors that submerged the visitor in a reminiscent path.
2. GIULIO ROMANO, A RENAISSANCE NARRATOR – THE PALACE AS THEATER OF MEMORY
This second space focuses on Palazzo Te and the artistic current implemented by Giulio Romano and his workshop, which questioned tradition and advocated for a more liberated representation, where architecture and painting blended through illusions. Here the artist’s great themes are unveiled through evocative details and intimate images.
The layout for this install is shaped like a greek cross made of wood and steel that supports three tulle screens with rear projections that contribute to the suggestive ambiance.
3. GIULIO ROMANO IN MANTUA – THE METAMORPHOSIS OF SHAPES
This third environment appraises Mantua through Giulio Romano’s legacy. The artist and the city are closely connected: in 1526, he was appointed prefect of the Gonzagas’ factories and superior of the urban streets. He imprinted on the city his iconography and decorative style, which had an ornamental splendor and taste for wonderment and artifice that would last over time, and later would be known as Mannerism.
For this space, we created an immersive experience through an irregular structure with 14 screens positioned at different heights and panels with graphics and images.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SOFTWARE
- Unity
- MadMapper
- After Effects
- Blender
HARDWARE
- Minimad
