At the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, a project is coming to life that transforms art into a shared experience. Today, at 5:00 p.m., in the museum’s educational spaces, the new exhibition conceived by Umbrian artist Sandro Tomassini will be presented to the public, in the presence of director Renata Cristina Mazzantini, art historian Giovanna Coltelli, and the artist himself.
The kinetic and interactive works on display invite visitors, both sighted and blind, to explore art with their hands, eyes, and imagination, through a language in which art and design dialogue on the terrain of inclusion. This new chapter confirms the central role of kinetic art as a bridge between perception, movement, and collective participation.
Inclusion, design, and kinetic art: the cultural commitment of Tomassini Arredamenti
Tomassini Arredamenti is an active partner in this project, contributing to the creation of the museum exhibition and bringing its experience in the field of contemporary design and accessible design to the Roman gallery. For over fifty years, the Umbrian company has promoted an approach to design as a cultural and social value, supporting initiatives that break down sensory barriers and encourage the participation of all audiences.
“For us, design is culture, interaction, and connection between people and the spaces they live in. We are proud to support a project that promotes inclusion and allows the public to become the author of the artistic experience,” says Roberto Tomassini, CEO of Tomassini Arredamenti.
The collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art thus consolidates Tomassini Arredamenti’s role as a reference point in Made in Italy design culture, where art, experimentation, and inclusion dialogue in a shared vision. Specializing in iconic design brands such as Cassina, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, and B&B Italia, Tomassini develops interior design projects in Italy and around the world. On this occasion, the company team curated the layout of the Roman museum, bringing its design experience to the service of art and accessibility.
Kinetic art and inclusion: a new way to experience the museum
The initiative was created with a clear focus on inclusion: the works are designed to be enjoyed even by blind or visually impaired people. Tactile surfaces, different materials, and guided tours stimulate touch and sensory memory, making the museum a space that is truly open to diverse audiences. The project is part of the GNAMC’s broader commitment to an accessible culture that welcomes visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Tomassini’s works are not just observed: they are experienced. Manipulating a module, moving a shape, rotating a panel: each action generates a different result, making each visitor a co-author. “My works give people the opportunity to interact with them, transforming and recreating them. One work can give rise to another, the result of individual experience. This is the profound meaning of my work: art that generates other art through human contact,” explains the artist.
Sandro Tomassini: Artist Biography
Sandro Tomassini (Ronciglione, 1945 – lives and works in Terni) is an Italian artist and designer whose work combines kinetic art and participation. After a long career in furniture design, participating in the Salone del Mobile in Milan in the 1970s and 1980s, Tomassini devoted himself to artistic experimentation, bringing his design approach to his artistic language.
Over the years, his works have been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Palazzo Reale, La Permanente, and the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan. His poetics are based on the idea of art to be experienced, constructed through gesture and participation, with a constant focus on inclusion and the reuse of unconventional materials.
Works on display at the GNAMC
Tactile panels, kinetic sculptures, and interactive installations transform the museum space into an immersive experience to be enjoyed with all the senses. Among the most significant works on display are:
- 10 x 10: geometric order that opens up to color
- Problem Solving: play and reflection in a modular space
- OTI – Interactive Transformable Objects: form, movement, and participation
- Contemporary Artwork: finalist in the 2023 Mondadori Art Prize
- Sondrat 1: interactive fabric from the Variable Images series
- Various Moments of Sadness: color as a metaphor for rebirth
- Gray and black lines and squares: visual rhythm and purity of line
In collaboration with Tomassini Arredamenti for a new inclusive and sensory space.
