Exhibitions in Bergamo: classical, contemporary and multimedia art

Culture I più letti

25 July 2024

Bergamo is a treasure, a city with an outstanding artistic tradition. The many exhibitions and art events that take place here every year reflect this richness, offering a wide range of experiences for art enthusiasts, citizens, curious visitors and tourists.

Top Bergamo Exhibitions

Contemporary Art Exhibitions

Bergamo is a key location for contemporary art. The GAMeC, Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea – Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art – is one of the most important venues for those wishing to discover artworks by modern and contemporary artists.

The exhibitions here range from multimedia installations to paintings and sculptures, offering a stage to both established and emerging artists. Every year, the GAMeC organises several temporary exhibitions that attract visitors from all over Italy and from abroad. One of the most recent events is the ‘Pensare come una montagna’ – Think Like a Mountain – project, a cycle of exhibitions, creativity workshops, shows and collective performances, from May until September 2024.

Contemporary art is also invading ancient spaces: in 2023, on the occasion of the events related to the Italian Capital of Culture, the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was the star of an innovative exhibition at the Palazzo della Ragione in Bergamo.

Con Amore Più Che Con Amore” – ‘With Love More Than Love’ – Exhibition – Image taken from www.gamec.it

Between breath and fire Exhibition

From the 14th of September 2024 until February 2025, the new cultural and artistic centre Gres Art 671, located in Via San Bernardino in Bergamo, will host the exhibition ‘Between breath and fire’, by Marina Abramović, internationally known as the ‘Godmother of performance art’.

This artistic space, curated by Karol Winiarczyk, will begin with the installation ‘Seven Deaths’ dedicated to Maria Callas, and it will then develop through a series of comparisons and references to the artworks and interpretations of Marina Abramović, narrating her world and her themes.

Ancient Art Exhibitions

For ancient art lovers, the Accademia Carrara is a must-see. This museum is home to an extraordinary collection of artworks ranging from the Renaissance to the 18th century, with masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Raphael and Titian.

Temporary exhibitions at the Accademia Carrara frequently offer insights into specific periods or themes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history of Italian art.

The academy is currently hosting the “Napoli a Bergamo” exhibition, which will give the public the opportunity to discover the extraordinary and unexpected thread that connects Bergamo and the Neapolitan painting of the 17th century.

Napoli A Bergamo’ exhibition at the Accademia Carrara – Cristo Deriso, by Luca Giordano, 1670 1680 – Image taken from www.lacarrara.it

Photography Exhibitions in Bergamo

Photography is another art form that finds its way into the city. Spazio Cam is a gallery dedicated entirely to contemporary photography.

The exhibitions that take place here present artworks by both local and international photographers, exploring various themes ranging from the social to the landscape, from the intimate to the political. These events are an opportunity to reflect on different world realities and perspectives, seen through the camera lens.

Science and Technology Exhibitions

Science and technology have gained their place among the Bergamo exhibitions as well. The Urban Centre, located in the heart of the city, regularly features exhibitions exploring topics related to innovation, sustainability and technology.

These exhibitions are often interactive, and they are designed to engage audiences of all ages, making science both approachable and interesting.

Science and Technology Exhibitions – Urban Centre Bergamo – Image taken from www.mariolaperetti.it

Thematic and Travelling Exhibitions

In addition to its permanent exhibitions in museums and galleries, Bergamo also features a series of thematic and travelling exhibitions. These events take place in several different locations around the city, from historical buildings, such as the aforementioned Palazzo della Ragione, to open-air squares. Travelling exhibitions are particularly popular during local festivals and celebrations, offering visitors a unique way to discover the city and its culture.

The city recently hosted the Mostra Lego Bergamo – Bergamo Lego Exhibition, an event dedicated to the famous colourful bricks, which in its journey through 10 countries over the last few years has attracted more than 5 million visitors interested in discovering the different Lego models, with some constructions that are true artworks, made up of more than a million bricks.

Art2night, The Nuite Blanche of Art

The city of Bergamo will be the location of the Art2night nuite blanche of art, which will take place on the 28th of September 2024 along the city streets. This will be the eleventh edition of this event, in which the streets of Bergamo’s historic centre will be populated by artists and performers.

Until midnight it will also be possible to visit some historical buildings and museums that will be exceptionally open, such as the Campanone in Piazza Vecchia and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and to attend concerts with historical guitars and ancient string instruments, celebrating Bergamo’s artistic tradition.

Art2night – The nuite blanche of art – Image taken from www.art2night.it

Bergamo Arte Fiera Exhibition

Bergamo Arte Fiera is one of the most prestigious events in the Italian artistic scene, dedicated to modern and contemporary art. This fair attracts enthusiasts, collectors, critics and artists from all over the world, providing the opportunity to explore current trends and the artworks of both emerging and renowned artists.

This event takes place at the city’s modern exhibition centre, which provides the ideal setting for displaying a wide range of artworks, from paintings and sculptures to installations and multimedia performances. In addition to the exhibitions, Bergamo Arte Fiera features a rich programme of related events, including conferences, workshops and talks addressing topical issues in the art world.

A distinctive feature of this fair is its focus on the promotion of young artists. Through initiatives such as awards and contests, Bergamo Arte Fiera offers visibility and support to emerging artists, contributing to the constant renewal of the national art scene.