Francesco Guccini. I Will Only Sing Time — exhibition at Spazio Gerra

Francesco Guccini. I Will Only Sing Time

When: 18 April – 18 October 2026 • Where: Spazio Gerra, Reggio Emilia • Admission: free

Spazio Gerra presents an exhibition dedicated to Francesco Guccini, a central figure in Italian singer-songwriter culture. The show examines recurring themes in his work — the word, memory and the passage of time — and frames them through visual and archival material.

The layout extends across four floors and roughly 350 square metres, organised into nine themed rooms, each linked to a specific song that closes and expands the narrative introduced in the displays. Visitors are accompanied by Guccini's own voice via headphones, for a personal and immersive visit lasting about one hour.

• Archives and objects: photographs, reproductions and period items that trace the artist's career and intellectual life.
• Illustration and visual arts: new works by contemporary illustrators reinterpreting songs and personal images.
• Contemporary photography: projects that map places, landscapes and memory fragments connected to Guccini's imagery.

Contributing artists include illustrators Maurizio Mantovi, Silvano Scolari, Veronica Ruffato, Gianmario Taurisano, Arianna Lerussi and Simona Costanzo, alongside photographic works by Paolo Simonazzi and Kai‑Uwe Schulte‑Bunert. Their creations interact with song texts and archival material, offering fresh readings of Guccini's cultural universe.

The exhibition is curated by Stefania Carretti, Lorenzo Immovilli and Erika Profumieri, promoted by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia with local cultural partners. A dedicated section focuses on Guccini's literary output, showing drafts, reflections and documents that reveal the creative processes behind his books and songs.

Visitor information and tips:

• Average visit time: about 1 hour (including headphone listening).
• Free admission: check Spazio Gerra's official website for opening times before your visit.
• Recommended for audiences interested in singer-songwriter culture, contemporary illustration and cultural archiving practices.

The project will be accompanied by a published volume that delves deeper into the links between words, objects and biography, providing further context for those wishing to explore the artist's creative world.