Passaggi: di mano in mano (Passages: From Hand to Hand) is the guiding theme of Prato’s Pecci Contemporary Art Center’s 2026 program. Simultaneously a greeting, an invitation, and celebration of Prato’s textile manufacturing history, the hand theme calls attention also to the importance of touch and physical human contact in an age dominated by digital immateriality.
The Rotte Exhibition, curated by Stefano Pezzato, presents works of countercultural, rule-breaking artistic practices. It will take place from May 31, 2026 to November 1, 2026. From the poetic revolution of Gruppo 70, the Fluxus movement, to Nouveau, the artists’ fascination with objects and emergence of feminist imagery in the neo-avant-gardes is evident.
The Carnale Exhibition features the first major retrospective in over 20 years for photographer Verita Monselles (2929-2004), who worked across fashion, theatre, and art from the 1970s through the 1990s. It will take place from May 31, 2026 to August 30, 2026. Her work was central in reclaiming female sensuality and eroticism, and dismantling patriarchal and religious imagery with irony.
The Villa Delizia will be the first solo show in an Italian public institution for Swiss artist Lorenza Longhi (b. 1991). Her artwork explores how desire is constructed through everyday objects and consumer aesthetics, and she manipulates kitsch, excess, and deliberate imperfection to achieve this goal. This will take place from September 19, 2026 to January 10, 2027.
The next exhibition features the Italian debut of Franco-Tunisian artist Alex Ayed (b. 1989). His sculptures and installations explore a solo sailing journey from Sweden to Tunis. His work actively engages with Mediterranean traditions, craft heritage, and often reuses organic and inorganic materials. It will take place from November 21, 2026 to March 29, 2027.
The Cadabra exhibition features a survey of American artist Karen Kilimnik’s work from the 1980s to the present day. Through mediums of painting, photography, assemblage, and immersive installation, Kilimnik magically weaves together art history, pop culture, fashion, and literature into enchanted worlds. Her work frequents topics of desire, identity, and the crisis of Western democratic culture. This will take place from November 21, 2026 to March 29, 2027. (H.D.,)
