Exploring the creativity and excellence of the Ballo+Ballo photography Studio through iconic photographs and immersive installations
From 14th June to 3rd November 2024, the Castello Sforzesco in Milan will host an extraordinary exhibition dedicated to Studio Ballo+Ballo, the most renowned Italian photographic studio specialising in design. The exhibition, titled “Ballo & Ballo,” offers an immersive journey through over a hundred iconic photographs and design objects, narrating the story of creativity and innovation of Aldo Ballo and Marirosa Toscani, founders of the studio in 1956.
Studio Ballo+Ballo is celebrated not only for its exceptional photographic output but also as an intellectual meeting place for internationally acclaimed artists, architects, and designers such as Bruno Munari, Gae Aulenti, Ettore Sottsass, Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni, Enzo Mari, and Alessandro Mendini. This stimulating environment fostered cultural exchanges and collaborations with leading design companies, including Olivetti, Cassina, Zanotta, Alessi, and Kartell. Aldo and Marirosa’s photographs appeared in major design magazines like “Domus,” “Abitare,” and “Casa Vogue,” contributing to the global acclaim of Italian design.
The exhibition welcomes visitors with a collection of photographs, design objects, periodicals, and personal items of the two photographers. Thanks to the video installations by Studio Azzurro, visitors can enjoy an immersive experience that makes the analogue photographic process and the relationship with architecture and design publishing tangible.
In the Sala Viscontea, Studio Azzurro’s installations interact with original materials displayed in showcases, offering a deep understanding of the photographic “process” and the stylistic evolution of Studio Ballo+Ballo. The Sala dei Pilastri, on the other hand, exhibits large portraits of important designers alongside photographs of their designed objects, complemented by video portraits that celebrate the protagonists of Italian design and art.
The exhibition idea originated from Marirosa Toscani Ballo’s donation of the Ballo+Ballo Studio archive to the Civic Photographic Archive of the Municipality of Milan in 2022. In 2023, the archive enhancement project won the MIC’s Photography Strategy call, leading to the development of the exhibition and its catalogue documenting this precious cultural heritage.
The “Ballo & Ballo” exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:30, with the last entry at 17:00. The exhibition is closed on Mondays. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of Studio Ballo+Ballo and their indelible contribution to Italian design and culture.
For more details, visit the Castello Sforzesco website or the organisation page for information on tickets and planning guided tours.
