Guasco signs the official image of the “Giacomo Puccini Manifesto” exhibition

It is Riccardo Guasco who signs the official image of the exhibition “Giacomo Puccini Manifesto. Advertising and illustration beyond opera”, scheduled in Lucca from 29 November 2024 to 2 March 2025, as part of the celebrations for the centenary of the death of the composer from Lucca. In the image, the internationally renowned illustrator from Alessandria, also known by the pseudonym Rik, has created the profile of Giacomo Puccini integrated into a theatrical curtain. To embellish Guasco’s work, the view of the Lucca square of the Amphitheater inside Puccini’s hat, where he himself walks, a dreamlike figure in the urban landscape. Guasco will also be present at the exhibition with its own posters, which will join those of the Salce Collection. These are posters dedicated to Puccini’s works or commissioned by historic companies, with which Puccini had significant relationships.

“Guasco fits perfectly into the evolution of the advertising poster by citing and renewing, more than other illustrious designers, the tradition of the golden age of the Italian poster – declares the councilor for culture of Lucca, Angela Mia Pisano – His references to avant-gardes of the 20th century are clear, his eye is that of an advertising designer and his putative fathers also include the authors exhibited in the exhibition”. “Among his commissions we also find historic brands that link his work to that of the graphic pioneers, and to Puccini himself. It is no coincidence that the Piedmontese designer has recently illustrated eight Puccinian operas for the Teatro Comunale of Bologna. This material also made it possible to elect Guasco as representative of the contemporary illustrators on display and creator of the official image”.

The exhibition “Giacomo Puccini Manifesto. Advertising and illustration beyond opera” is included in the official calendar of the National Committee for Puccini Celebrations and is also sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Salce National Collection Museum, the Giacomo Puccini Foundation, the Puccini Museum, the Teatro del Giglio, the Lucchesi nel Mondo Association , North-West Tuscany Chamber of Commerce, Italian Association of Corporate Archives and Museums, Lucca Plus and with the media partnership of Rai Cultura.