ROME.- The Eternal City is poised to become a vibrant canvas for the fantastical as the Museo di Roma at Palazzo Braschi prepares to unveil "Amano Corpus Animae," a landmark exhibition dedicated to the visionary artistry of Yoshitaka Amano. Opening its doors tomorrow, March 28th, and running through October 12th, 2025, this extensive retrospective promises a deep dive into the imaginative universe of the celebrated Japanese artist, whose influence spans animation, video games, illustration, and fine art.
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Following a critically acclaimed run in Milan, the exhibition, conceived and developed by Lucca Comics & Games and curated by Fabio Viola, arrives in Rome with considerable anticipation. Supported by Roma Capitale, the Department of Culture, and the Capitoline Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, with organizational backing from Zètema Progetto Cultura, "Amano Corpus Animae" marks a significant milestone: a celebration of Amano's remarkable 50-year career. The exhibition thoughtfully gathers over 200 pieces, offering a comprehensive look at his creative trajectory through original artworks, animation cels, and cherished cult objects. The event enjoys the patronage of esteemed institutions including the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Culture, the Embassy of Japan, and the Municipality of Lucca, with sponsorship from the Japan Foundation.
The choice of Rome as the exhibition's venue holds particular significance, solidifying a long-held affection between the Japanese artist and the city. Palazzo Braschi, with its historical grandeur, provides a fitting backdrop for Amano's fantastical creations, underscoring the artistic dialogue between Japanese imagination and Italian heritage. "Amano Corpus Animae" represents Amano's first major exhibition in Rome, a city that has served as a wellspring of inspiration for his art, particularly its rich tapestry of Greco-Roman mythology.
Yoshitaka Amano has carved a unique niche in the global cultural landscape, becoming a creator of contemporary myths that have permeated popular consciousness across generations. From his early work in animation to his iconic character designs for the Final Fantasy video game series, Amano's distinctive style, characterized by its elegant lines, ethereal figures, and vibrant color palettes, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. Visitors to "Amano Corpus Animae" will have the opportunity to trace the genesis of these iconic creations, exploring the sketches, paintings, and animation cells that brought them to life. The exhibition offers a journey from Amano's formative years at Tatsunoko Production in the 1970s to his more recent endeavors, showcasing the breadth and depth of his artistic vision.
A special highlight of the Palazzo Braschi exhibition will be the inclusion of original artworks, never before seen in Italy, from Amano's collaborations with the legendary fantasy author Michael Moorcock, best known for his Elric of Melniboné saga. This unique pairing of literary and visual mastery will be presented through six panels, offering a glimpse into the creative synergy between these two influential figures and providing insights into the artistic genesis of Amano's designs for the Final Fantasy series.
The exhibition is structured into five distinct sections, each designed to illuminate a different facet of Amano's multifaceted career, which spans video games, manga, anime, theater, fashion, and fine art, while also encompassing the worlds of publishing and comics. These sections aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the artist's evolution and the diverse range of his creative output.
The exhibition's design incorporates site-specific installations that enhance the viewing experience, utilizing lighting, backdrops, and colors to accentuate the numerous original artworks on display. This immersive approach seeks to engage the visitor's emotional memory, creating a deeper connection with Amano's fantastical worlds.
The opening section, titled "Character Room," features a diorama inspired by "The Boy from Shizuoka," offering a biographical glimpse into Amano's early influences. This section showcases memorabilia and artwork from his time at Tatsunoko Production (1967-1982), the renowned Japanese animation studio where Amano played a key role in the creation of globally recognized animated series such as Hurricane Polimar, Gatchaman, Tekkaman, Pinocchio, Maya the Bee, and Time Bokan. It provides a foundational understanding of Amano's artistic origins and includes early examples of his independent work, including cult objects that accompanied him on his creative journey. This period also marks the beginning of his successful career in book cover illustration, with notable works for Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D and his experimental animated film Angel's Egg, created with Mamoru Oshii.
The second section, "Icons," celebrates Yoshitaka Amano's significant impact on Western pop culture. Here, visitors can admire original illustrations from "Sandman: Dream Hunters," his collaboration with Neil Gaiman in 1999, as well as alternative covers created for iconic American comic book series such as Batman, Batgirls, Superman, Harley Quinn, Elektra, and Wolverine. This section also features three special sound showers, each highlighting a specific work, including a Magic: The Gathering card, the poster Amano designed for the Japanese release of "The Shape of Water," and a David Bowie album cover, with accompanying audio elements. The journey through this section concludes with the "Candy Girls," a series of illustrated and mirrored portraits.
Moving towards the heart of the exhibition, the "Game Master" section showcases Amano's pivotal contributions to the role-playing game genre, primarily through his iconic designs for the Final Fantasy series. This extensive display features original acrylic paintings on paper, spanning nearly four decades of the Square Enix masterpiece, from the original 1987 title to the more recent Final Fantasy XVI. By juxtaposing final packaging with original artwork, the exhibition highlights the evolution of the game's logos and cover art, while also showcasing the beloved characters of the saga. This section also includes other video games that have benefited from Amano's artistic touch.
The final section, "Free Spirit," marks Amano's artistic maturity and explores his ongoing creative evolution. This section features three new works that delve into his interpretation of Greco-Roman mythology, highlighting a recurring source of inspiration. It also includes the trilogy of official posters Amano created for Lucca Comics & Games 2024, paying homage to Puccini's operas Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. These posters earned Amano the title of Ambassador of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, underscoring his continued relevance and influence in the contemporary art world.
To further enrich the visitor experience, the exhibition is accompanied by the second edition of the "Amano Corpus Animae" catalog, which includes the new works on display at Palazzo Braschi. Additionally, a generous schedule of special evening openings will be offered, allowing enthusiasts and the simply curious more opportunities to immerse themselves in Amano's captivating art. From Saturday, March 29th, until the exhibition's conclusion, the Museo di Roma at Palazzo Braschi will remain open until 10:00 PM on select days, with the last admission at 9:00 PM. The exhibition will also be exceptionally open on Monday, April 21st, 2025, for Easter Monday and the Anniversary of the Foundation of Rome.
"Amano Corpus Animae" promises to be a landmark exhibition, offering an unprecedented opportunity to explore the boundless imagination and artistic mastery of Yoshitaka Amano. As the doors of Palazzo Braschi open tomorrow, Rome will become a gateway to fantastical realms, inviting visitors to embark on a journey through the captivating worlds of one of the most influential artists of our time.
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