The Time of Play in Gradara: Pinocchio and Two Centuries of Play at MARV

The museum of play in Gradara

At Gradara, the MARV – Museo d’Arte Rubini Vesin is developing a program focused on play as a cultural, historical and social phenomenon. The exhibition "The Time of Play. Wonders from the Loris Betti Collection" marks a step in this direction, showing how toys and games reflect the values and norms of their times.

The exhibition route

The display covers more than two centuries, from the late 1700s to the 1980s. Each object is contextualized for its role in teaching behaviours, expressing aspirations or shaping social roles.

• Educational games: items designed to transmit rules and domestic or civic habits.
• Progress and travel: toys and models that celebrate modernity and exploration.
• Cinema and precinema: magic lanterns and small projectors that tell the story of early visual entertainment.
• Gambling and advertising: boards, cards and promotional toys that reveal shifts in domestic leisure and consumer desire.
• Toys for girls: objects that show how play reinforced expected social roles and duties.

Pinocchio within play

Pinocchio appears as a case study of cultural transformation: originally a more ambiguous, sometimes harsh character, he has been reframed over time as an educational figure. The exhibition presents vintage representations, games and teaching materials that trace this shift and highlight how the puppet entered everyday learning practices.

Visitor experience

The show is interactive as well as display-based: visitors can try reproduction games in a dedicated area, and access digital content on their smartphones for deeper information. MARV positions the visit as an active learning experience.

Why visit

By examining the games people design and play, the exhibition offers insights into social priorities — from discipline and family to risk and aspiration. It’s an invitation to read society through the objects it invents for play.

Practical information

• Title: The Time of Play. Wonders from the Loris Betti Collection
• Venue: MARV – Museo d’Arte Rubini Vesin, Gradara (PU), Italy
• Dates: 22 March – 7 June 2026
• Opening hours: Wednesday–Friday 14:30–17:30; Saturday and Sunday 10:00–13:00 / 14:30–17:30; closed Monday and Tuesday
• Admission: €5

Schools and groups can book educational activities and guided visits: check availability with MARV before planning a visit.