“Annisettanta”

     The Seventies are on display at La Triennale di Milano.  A new exhibition has started- bringing the “Me” decade to you, now.  All of the political turmoil, the protests, the styles, and the crazy, in your face personal social liberation is easily relived through Triennale’s “Annisettanta” exhibit.  It centers on the Italian experience of the 1970s, largely concerning itself with the art, other contributions, and deaths of two famous Italian artists, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Aldo Moro.  Two floors of the museum are filled with unbelievable color and unique style in what surely must be an opus in curator Gianni Canova and director Mario Bellini’s history.  The exhibit starts in a room hung with low-flying clouds, everything white and airy- it feels like a dream.  The walls are dedicated to the different political and social events, hung in timeline, but every room after is exploding with contrasting hues. 
    The various displays inside are just as unique as the artistic expression.  On the first floor is a recreation of an Italian bar from the 70s, complete with the free-form interior designing that makes a visitor want to go out and buy a lava lamp.  Also in the exhibit are mocks of the radio stations used to beam out the tragic news of the deaths of Fausto and Iaio.  Furthermore, as a personal favorite of the HelloMilano staff, an interactive protest, set in an audio-visual recreation of a protest march allows a person to think up their own protest slogan and march with the masses to carry out whatever cause means most to your rebellious heart. The exhibit really shows the forces, socially, culturally, and creatively that still affect us today.
    As for a more traditional exhibition style, selected works from artists like Maro Schifano and Andes Serrano are on display as well.  There are various stations taking the exhibit going through comics, fashion, art, and design in a multitude of lively displays that allow hours for reflection and wonderment.  The exhibit runs until the 30^th of March, with tickets ranging from 5 to 8 euro, and times from 10.30 to 20.30.  Please contact La Triennale di Milano for more information on their website at www.triennale.it or their phone line at 02 72434208.  Rebel against the normal exhibit, and experience Annisettanta.

By Jared Thoma