Babb – Giorgio Dal Canto “Vita, Opera e Bugia”

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the retrospective that Pontedera dedicates to one of its most beloved artists, Giorgio Dal Canto, known as Babb. The exhibition is open to the public starting today, Saturday, December 7.

The exhibition at Palp – Palazzo Pretorio (until March 9, 2025, open every day from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 7 PM) is part of the events linked to “Natale ad Arte 2024”, which brought to life the imaginative lights in the city center, the tribute to Enrico Baj, and, indeed, the retrospective on Babb.

The exhibition, titled Life, Works, and “Bugia”, features works mainly from the private collection of Giuseppe Diomelli, along with some rare unpublished pieces from the collections of Nocchi and Polidori. Several rooms are enriched with immersive and theatrical installations, all curated by Alberto Bartalini.

The exhibition includes approximately 50 paintings displayed at Palp, created with remarkable color expertise and meticulous detail, influenced by Dal Canto’s experience as a decorator.

The main characters in his works are the Bombetta, arrogant and pompous figures wearing the classic black hat, a symbol of an opulent bourgeoisie, and the Righe, tender and pathetic men in horizontally striped shirts, seemingly subjugated to symbols of power but actually striving for their own freedom. Pinocchio and the Pinocchios depict humanity transforming into a collection of puppets controlled by power. The Acari represent lies and the ugliness that erode and corrode humanity, taking on grotesque forms between the human and the animalistic.

A world built with an ironic charge that is sometimes light and subtle, sometimes melancholic and sharp, and at times ruthless and irreverent—characteristic of both Babb the artist and Giorgio Dal Canto the man. In the final rooms, which are immersive, visitors step directly into Babb’s work, guided by Bartalini’s creative vision. They are welcomed by a swarm of long-necked Vespa riders leading them to dreamlike images and strange objects, such as a crooked armchair. A reference to Venice, where Babb was a key figure during the 2011 Contemporary Art Biennale, featuring tricolor flags, Pinocchios, and elephants. The Venetian exhibition was titled “La Bugia – Even elephants have long noses.”

In this concluding section, visitors are surrounded by a crowd of Babb’s numerous, vibrant icons, giving them the sensation of being able to interact, share, and experience emotions together with them.

Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last admission at 6:30 PM)

• Full price €5.00
• Reduced €3.00 (Unicoop members with card, over 65, companions of disabled visitors)
• Reduced Youth €2.00 (ages 18 to 25)
• Reduced Group Adults €3.00 (min. 10 – max. 25, with free entry for the group leader)
• Free entry for children 0-18 years, disabled visitors, and journalists with a valid National Order card

School visits: You can book a visit at this link at a cost of €45.00 per class

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