A journey through art, poetry and lightness in the heart of Rome
Rome never ceases to surprise. Alongside its world-famous monuments, the city is home to hidden places and unique cultural experiences that reveal a more intimate, contemporary and creative side of the Eternal City.
Until 31 October 2026, the rhinoceros gallery, in the heart of Rome, hosts “Only Fragile Things Last Forever”, the new action set conceived by Raffaele Curi for Fondazione Alda Fendi – Esperimenti.
It is an experience not to be missed during a stay in Rome, especially for those who love contemporary art, poetry and cultural encounters that stay with you long after you leave the exhibition.
When fragility becomes a form of strength
The title itself captures the essence of the project: fragility is not weakness, but one of the most authentic forms of human strength.
Raffaele Curi invites visitors to slow down, step away from the rush of everyday life and rediscover qualities that are too often overlooked: lightness, kindness, imagination, sensitivity and the ability to open ourselves to others.
The project continues the journey begun with the previous action set, “A Prayer to Go to Heaven with the Little Donkeys”, inspired by the poetry of Francis Jammes and by the donkey as a symbol of genuine, simple goodness.
This time, the journey moves towards lightness — understood as a precious quality of the human spirit and as a new way of looking at the world.
A sensory journey through art, music and poetry
The installation unfolds across the four floors of rhinoceros, inside the extraordinary building designed by Jean Nouvel for Alda Fendi.
From the very beginning, visitors encounter Shakespeare’s words: “Tomorrow, in the battle, think on me.” A few moments later, a monumental image of the Pyrenees introduces the world of Francis Jammes, the French poet closely associated with these mountains.
The journey continues with the Amalassunte figures by Osvaldo Licini, suspended in the air as if gently floating through space. Their weightlessness interacts with the seven colours of the rainbow and with the music of composer Nicola Porpora, performed by the celebrated mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.
Art and music come together in an immersive experience that engages not only the eyes, but also the ears and the imagination.
In the building’s courtyard, the evocative “fog sculptures” by Fujiko Nakaya add another dimension of wonder. Matter seems to dissolve and transform into something ephemeral, almost impossible to grasp.
The journey concludes with a series of simple Pyrenees eggs, each marked with the same word. An apparently modest image becomes a powerful symbol of simplicity, fragility and possibility.
An experience to discover during your stay in Rome
“Only Fragile Things Last Forever” is more than a contemporary art exhibition: it is an invitation to pause and observe.
In a city like Rome, where every corner tells centuries of history, this installation offers a different opportunity to connect with the present and with our own inner world.
It is a particularly inspiring experience to add to an itinerary exploring contemporary Rome, perhaps after a walk through the historic centre or before enjoying dinner in the city.
For our hotel guests, the exhibition can become one of the most original stops of their Roman stay: a place where art, poetry, music and light come together, transforming a simple visit into a moment of reflection and wonder.
Useful information
📍 rhinoceros gallery
Via del Velabro 9A, Rome
📅 1 August – 31 October 2026
🕚 Every day, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
🎟️ Free admission
The exhibition is promoted by Fondazione Alda Fendi – Esperimenti.
If you are staying in Rome over the coming months, take some time to experience this beautiful immersion in art and poetry. Because, as the title suggests, perhaps it is precisely the most delicate, light and seemingly fragile things that are destined to remain with us the longest.