Avere vent'anni (Being Twenty)

"Avere vent'anni" (Being Twenty), an exhibition organized by the Comics and Illustration Course as part of the second edition of the A occhi aperti. Disegnare il contemporaneo (Eyes Wide Open. Drawing the Contemporary) festival, will be inaugurated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna on Wednesday, November 13, at 5:30 PM. This group show, open to the public at the Ala Collamarini until January 11, features the work of both current and former students, as well as faculty members who have been part of the Academy during its first twenty years.

The exhibition presents over 60 never-before-seen pieces, each offering a unique interpretation of the theme Being Twenty—an age that is both symbolic and very real, especially for those in the midst of their studies. The works by “master” artists will be showcased alongside those of younger creators who have already established themselves professionally, both in Italy and internationally.

But Being Twenty also refers to the age of the Comics and Illustration Course itself. It’s been two decades since the course was launched in Bologna, marking the first of its kind in Italy. While similar programs have since emerged in other Italian academies, this course remains a point of reference, renowned for its high-quality teaching staff, its innovative educational methods, and the cultural richness of its Bologna-based environment.