THIS IS AMERICA. From Robert Capa to Martin Parr

Epic and propaganda, freedom and control, prosperity and precariousness: the exhibition explores these tensions through photography—from the 19th century to the present—and through pop and post-pop reinterpretations. The images are not intended to “explain” America, but to show how America speaks about itself: a constant oscillation between exaltation and criticism. The result is a visual journey in which the symbol – often the flag – recurs like an echo, while at the center remains the paradox that spans faces, streets, power, and consumption.

The exhibition presents an ongoing dialogue between black-and-white photography, color photography, and contemporary artworks. The interweaving of visual languages allows us to grasp the evolution of the American myth and its constant rewriting, from historical documents to pop culture, all the way to new digital experiments.
The project was conceived in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States (1776–2026), a time of great celebrations in America and around the world: an ideal moment to reflect on the current meaning of those founding values—freedom, democracy, national identity—which today appear more complex and multifaceted than ever.