Italia 61: The Padiglione Delle Fonti di Energia by Studio G.P.A. Monti and Lucio Fontana. For the Reconstruction of the Architectural Context Behind Fontana’s Environmental Installation

Abstract

On the centenary celebrations of the unification of Italy (1961), the Esposizione Internazionale del Lavoro (E.I.L.) or International Labour Exhibition, was organized in Turin to celebrate work as a foundational value of Italian identity and the highest expression of progress, creativity, and human dignity. The exhibition featured international contributions and a central Italian pavilion set up by different architects overseen by the architect Gio Ponti. During this event, artist Lucio Fontana conceived Fonti di energia, soffitto di neon per Italia 61 (Sources of Energy, Neon Ceiling for Italia 61), a composition of seven layers of neon tubes, designed specifically for the section curated by architects Gianemilio, Piero, and Anna Monti (Studio G.P.A. Monti). Although Fontana’s work has been extensively studied, the architectural context within which it was situated has not been sufficiently examined, resulting in a partial erasure of the spatial context and an inadequate recognition of the contributions of Studio G.P.A. Monti. This essay addresses these historiographical gaps by analysing unpublished documents from the G.P.A. Monti Archive, now in the Archivi Storici del Politecnico di Milano (Politecnico di Milano Historical Archives).