The Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria dedicates an exhibition to the 50-year history of the Riace Bronzes

From July 20 to November 26, 2023, the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria presents the exhibition The Riace Bronzes. Fifty Years of History curated by Carmelo Malacrino. The exhibition is proposed as an evocative journey through the history of the Riace Bronzes through archival photographs, many unpublished or little known, and videos from the period, specially granted by Rai Teche. Through the voices of the protagonists of the time, it will be possible to follow all the main moments of the “new life” of the Riace Bronzes, from the discovery to the restorations, up to the exhibitions and scientific studies conducted often with original approaches.

The initiative closes the program of events promoted by the Museum on the anniversary of the discovery of the two statues, which have become iconic symbols for the entire territory.

“The story of the Riace Bronzes is part of all our lives,” says Director Malacrino. “All those who, like me, are not so young anymore will remember the uproar that arose around the first exhibitions of these masterpieces, first in Florence and Rome, and then in Reggio Calabria, in the Museum that with their arrival opened to international tourist flows. Through the voices of the protagonists of the time, it will be possible to follow all the salient moments of the ’new life’ of the Riace Bronzes, from the discovery to the restorations, up to the exhibitions and scientific studies conducted often with absolutely original approaches. We have done extensive research in our archives to select the most fascinating photographs, which will be complemented by numerous videos of broadcasts and news programs of the time. Also on display will be the camera with which the only images depicting Bronze A were taken during its recovery from the Riace seabed on the now distant August 22, 1972. It was donated to the museum by lawyer Fulvio Rizzo, whom I thank.”

The exhibit design was supervised by director Malacrino and arch. Claudia Ventura, with the collaboration of arch. Giuseppina Cassalia for the selection of video documents that arrived from the RAI archives. The realization was entrusted to Blu Ocean.

“It will be a photographic and multimedia exhibition,” said official architect Claudia Ventura, “presenting magnificent historical images of the Riace Bronzes to the general public. The design core of this exhibition, destined by its nature to become itinerant, is conceived on the basis of specific technical solutions, also aimed at minimizing set-up time. An exhibition that we hope will travel around the world to acquaint everyone with the fabulous story of an extraordinary archaeological find.”

The Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria dedicates an exhibition to the 50-year history of the Riace Bronzes

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