Following acclaimed exhibitions at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris (2023) and the Triennale di Milano (2024), Juergen Teller arrives in Sabbioneta with “7 ½”, a striking new exhibition project curated by Mario Codognato.

“These are private words addressed to you in public”: with this evocative quote from T. S. Eliot, Ezio Zani, Director of the Sabbioneta Heritage Foundation, introduced the thematic essence of the exhibition during its inauguration. The show retraces Teller’s artistic journey over the past seven and a half years – a period marked by bold creative renewal, a provocative reinterpretation of contemporary and fashion icons, and, above all, by his profound personal and professional partnership with his wife, Dovile Drizyte. Private time and public life converge, rendering the richness and complexity of everyday existence – with all its imperfections – as a unique and unrepeatable work of art.

A fundamental and defining element of the exhibition is the site-specific installation, conceived by Teller and Codognato and designed by architect Federico Fedel to complement the exceptional horizontal perspective of the Galleria degli Antichi at Palazzo Giardino. Built between 1583 and 1586, this imposing space – approximately 97 metres in length – is the longest frescoed gallery in Italy, second only to the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence.

The installation features a long table entirely crafted from Panguaneta’s Maple Superior plywood. With its top-quality poplar cores from responsibly managed local plantations and its elegant rotary-cut maple surfaces, this plywood embodies the ideal balance of versatility, lightness, and natural beauty. The material harmoniously integrates with and enhances the timeless architectural splendour of the Renaissance surroundings.

The setting also includes a series of evocative lamps, made from the same plywood, whose warm tones echo those of the frescoes. These luminous elements subtly interact with the architectural rhythms of the Gallery and respond gently to the play of light cast by its 26 windows.

“We are proud to be part of this remarkable cultural initiative”, commented Nicoletta Azzi, CEO of Panguaneta. “It is a project that celebrates the local territory and its resources – a commitment our company has always embraced with passion. This exhibition, so original and forward-thinking, has offered us the perfect opportunity to showcase the outstanding versatility of our plywood – here becoming the ideal stage for Juergen Teller’s work”.

A space of dialogue between past and present, where technological innovation meets artistic vision, and the beauty of tradition is reimagined through the lens of contemporary creativity: in Sabbioneta, Italian historical and aesthetic identity opens itself to the global art scene – and poplar plywood, a symbol of local craftsmanship and a hallmark of Made in Italy excellence, becomes a stage for international culture.

Links:

• Poplar plywood panel with outer faces in maple veneers | Maple-Superior
• High quality poplar plywood panel | Pioppo-Superior
• Superior plywood panels free from defect | Panguaneta
• Sabbioneta Heritage
• Visit Sabbioneta | Visita la città ideale
• JUERGEN TELLER “7 ½” | Visit Sabbioneta