The Sala della Musica
A permanent exhibition itinerary dedicated to the history of the popular music of Bologna
In the spaces on the second floor of the Biblioteca Salaborsa, named after the great poet and wordsmith Roberto Roversi, an itinerary can be visited dedicated to the history of popular music in Bologna from the 1940s till today.
The Sala della Musica, inspired by an idea of Paolo Fresu, takes its place alongside the city’s musical institutions, completing the story of music in Bologna and suggesting to the visitor an experiential journey that envisages various levels of in-depth analysis.
The story, related decade by decade, is accompanied by events and anecdotes, inserted in fascinating architectural structures that offer lenticular images of the principal artists, selected musical items, soundwave art and video animations, enabling the visitor to experience the music in an immersive environment that gives form, body and voice to the narration. Over eight hundred names and titles are mentioned and related, including artists, songs, albums, professionals, places, theatres, live clubs, labels, recording studios and events in a city that has never, in seventy-five years, lost its vitality.
The Sala della Musica also has a space dedicated to thematic focuses.
Until 30th September, the space will be occupied by Off Balance, a photographic project curated by Giovanna Dell’Acqua and dedicated to the difficult situation the music industry has undergone on account of Covid-19. In the exhibition, portraits of musicians playing within their domestic walls alternate with photographs of empty halls and theatres.
The Sala della Musica is promoted by the Municipality of Bologna as part of the events celebrating Bologna UNESCO City of Music. The project bears the signature of Diverserighestudio; the Scientific Director is Gianni Sibilla. The exhibition itinerary and content were conceived and drawn up by ComunicaMente and by Riccardo Negrelli who was, together with Simone Gheduzzi, the author of the original concept.
The Sala della Musica is part of the Laboratorio Aperto di Bologna, a project implemented through the programme POR FESR 2014-2020 – ASSE 6 – Smart Cities and Communities.
The Sala della Musica is open during the opening times of Salaborsa.
