BOLOGNA, ITALY.-The Galleria d’Arte Moderna celebrates 30 years in its current venue with a large-scale exhibition dedicated to the developments in Bolognese art since 1975. The exhibition was organised with the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna. The event, curated by Peter Weiermair, represents the most important study on all the major artists on the local arts scene, many of whom have now taken their places on the national and international stage. The event forms part of the "7th week of culture" programme, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Activities and Heritage.

The aim of the exhibition, which includes over 100 works created using a range of different means of expression (painting, photography, drawing, performance, installation, design, cartoon strip), is certainly not to mark a finishing line, a limited or conclusive gesture. This exhibition rather stands on the verge between the past and the present, and shows how much the GAM has been a “workshop”, a starting point in the development of the most prominent artists in the last 30 years of Italian art history. The Gallery’s strong commitment to contemporary art is backed up both by the ambitious possibilities offered by its move to the new and larger venue at the "Forno del Pane", and by the programming offered by its new directors.

The exhibition is divided into a number of sections: a homage to the great masters, whose works form part of the GAM collections, will accompany the four chronological sections (from 1975 to 1980 – from 1980 to 1990 – from 1990 to 2000 – from 2000 to 2005) which come right up to the very latest results in artistic experimentation.

With a view to renovating the initiatives held and to encourage wider public participation, the GAM intends to organise a special series of events. Conferences, workshops with artists, teaching seminars, guided tours and evening meetings will all form part of a larger programme of events starting from the 25th May, at 6pm, with the Rector Professor Pier Ugo Calzolari handing over the University Seal of the Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna to Concetto Pozzati. The programme includes a non-stop series of events, which will be communicated to the public at a later date and which will carry on until the 26th September.