Otium ludens features 170 artefacts that show the best preserved cluster of seaside and agricultural villas of ancient Stabiae, dating back to the first century b.C. and A.D. The frescoes, of the highest quality, adorned villas of otium (“leisure”), which were the most luxurious constructions owned by the Roman elite and built alongside the Gulf of Naples seascape. In such villas the owners did not always occupy their time with public activities or business (“negotium”) but cultivated their own cultural inclinations, pertaining to their own personal interest, self-development and intellectual curiosity.


TOURS


State Hermitage Museum – St. Petersburg
The exhibition was displayed in the beautiful setting of renowned architect, Leo Von Klenze’s Bosporan Room, restored and opened to the public in the occasion of Otium ludens.

December 8, 2007 - May 18, 2008
Visitors: 500.000
Services: Organisation and general coordination, manage relationships with institutions; projec of exhibition display and lighting design; graphic design; opening event.
Promoted by the State Hermitage Museum, the Archaeological Superintendence of Naples and Pompeii, Campania Region, Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation and in collaboration with the Italian Consulate and the Italian Institute of Culture of St. Petersburg.


Hong Kong Museum of Art
In Hong Kong the exhibition has been enriched with the creation of a sonorous landscape, a soundtrack that accompanies the visitors with sounds of ancient instruments.

July 18 – October 5, 2008
Visitors: 47.000
Services: Organisation and general coordination, manage relationships with institutions; project of exhibition
display and lighting design; graphic design; opening event.
Promoted by Hong Kong Museum of Art, Archaeological Superintendence of Naples and Pompeii,
Campania Region, Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation and in collaboration with the Italian Consulate inHong Kong.


Complesso Monumentale of San Nicolò, Ravenna
The only Italian venue of the tour hosted an interesting comparison between the frescoes of ancient Roman villas and the hosting church of San Nicolò, decorated with wall frescoes dated from the late Gothic to the early Baroque period.

March14, – November 1, 2009
Visitors: 50.700
Services: Organisation and general coordination, manage relationships with institutions; art direction; project of exhibition display and lighting design; graphic design.
Promoted by Archaeological Superintendence of Naples and Pompeii, Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation, Parco Archeologico di Classe Foundation, Municipality of Ravenna, Emilia Romagna Region.