Francesco Guccini - Canterò soltanto il tempo

In the track Il tema, from the album L’isola non trovata (1970), Francesco Guccini gives voice to the central theme that runs through much of his work: that of time. An extremely coherent universe where words and storytelling – be it songs, short stories, novels or even just casual conversation – play a central role. Words that seem to be the only anchor capable of giving meaning to the passing of time, to life which, in the fleeting transience of the present, must inevitably look back in order to understand and fulfil itself. Guccini’s voice metaphorically takes the visitor by the hand and guides them through the rooms in an exhibition that brings words, songs and the voice of the ‘Maestrone’ – with its unmistakable timbre – to the fore. The materials provided by the author, many of which have never been exhibited before, help to create a narrative structured like a concept album centred on remembrance, memory and time, understood existentially as the flow of life.

The exhibition unfolds across the four floors of Spazio Gerra and explores nine thematic groups through nine songs, combining archival materials (photographs, original objects, reproductions) with new works by illustrators and photographers. These creations connect with the themes and lyrics of the songs, creating a journey that draws on Guccini’s main sources of inspiration: illustration, popular culture, literature, history and his roots.

The exhibition features illustrations by Simona Costanzo, Arianna Lerussi, Maurizio Mantovi, Veronica Ruffato, Silvano Scolari and Gianmario Taurisano, as well as two new photographic projects: Pavana e ricordi by Paolo Simonazzi, which explores the symbolic locations of Guccini’s world between Bologna and the Apennines, creating a visual map composed of landscapes, objects and details linked to popular culture and memory; and Zeitraum by Kai-Uwe Schulte-Bunert, which represents time and memory through images of falling components from old clocks, evoking the fragmentary nature of memory.

The entire project aims to convey the complexity of Guccini’s persona and his creative universe, going beyond the musical dimension to explore the cultural and intellectual richness of his work.