Stefano Rovai: POSTER 78/25 at IED ex Teatro dell’Oriuolo
Poster by Beatrice Brandini
At the former Teatro dell’Oriuolo, the retrospective dedicated to the work of Stefano Rovai, with 130 posters, from 1978 to 2025, which retrace decades of activity of this extraordinary art director and visual designer.
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED former Teatro dell’Oriuolo
The exhibition, Manifesti 78/25, organized as part of the “Campo Aperto” program of the IED in Florence, takes place until September 26 in via dell’Oriuolo 31, at the former Teatro dell’Oriuolo, now the venue for events of the Istituto Europeo Design.
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED former Teatro dell’Oriuolo
But why Stefano Rovai’s posters? Because the poster is a powerful and immediate language, a free communication tool and, if well “exploited”, a means to engage civilly on necessary and ever-current issues. And that is exactly what Rovai has been doing for over forty years.
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED ex Teatro dell’Oriuolo
“The value of graphic design – says Rovai – is twofold, on the one hand it represents the possibility of structuring thought visually, making the abstract tangible and the complex accessible; on the other it constitutes an act of citizenship, a gesture of construction in the public space. Designing clear, empathetic, democratic communication is not only a technical skill but an ethical commitment”.
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED ex Teatro dell’Oriuolo
In fact, throughout his career Rovai has signed over 1300 posters, many linked to political, social and cultural themes of great importance. Founder of the Graffiti – Progettivisive studio, throughout his career he has also won numerous international competitions including the one for the graphics of the installations of the Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, the Bibiothèque National de France, the Musée Richelieu in Paris, the Marmottan Museum also in Paris…
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED ex Teatro dell’Oriuolo
“In a time when communication risks losing depth and responsibility, – says Benedetta Lenzi director of IED Florence -, this retrospective is an opportunity to reaffirm the power of graphics as a critical practice, capable of influencing public space and changing the gaze.
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED ex Teatro dell’Oriuolo
There was a time when Florence was a cultural reference point, where cinema, theater, fashion, music, art were sectors in which great artists and entrepreneurs were not afraid to experiment and promote. I partially lived that time, I remember the fashion shows at Pitti Donna, before Milan took over the command showing an entrepreneurial and organizational capacity that could not compete with our beautiful but provincial Florence.
Some works by Stefano Rovai in the MANIFESTI 78/25 exhibition at IED ex Teatro dell’Oriuol
I hate to admit it, but I, a true Florentine, wonder what has happened to this city in the last thirty years, and to all the related industries (not only textiles), that those seasons creative were able to generate. Yes, because I participated in the first Fashion Biennale, a unique event, which today with social media would have become viral all over the world, with personalities such as Germano Celant, Luigi Settembrini and Ingrid Sischy. I saw Schnabel, Mario Merz, Damien Hirst all together linked to the same project… . The Tenax that characterized the Florentine nightlife with concerts by Paul Weller, Everything But The Girl, the Festival del Maggio, formerly one of the most important in Europe.
Stefano Rovai
What wonderful times that we regret not only with nostalgia, but with the bitter awareness that we would never be able to relive. Rovai was one of its protagonists.
Good life to all!
Beatrice