Materia Comune: illegal street signs turned into a collective

Materia Comune opens at La Vaccheria: street signs become a collective artwork

Opening date: 10 April 2026
Venue: La Vaccheria, Rome

Born from the idea of turning civic cleanup into artistic practice, "Materia Comune – from caring for the city to shared art" repurposes materials recovered during volunteer actions to form a collective installation. The initiative connects associations, institutions and businesses to generate tangible local impact.

The project stems from the "Staccali Tutti" challenge organized by Retake Roma with the patronage of Roma Capitale: panels and illicit signs removed from public spaces were not discarded but transformed into raw material for the installation curated by Alessio D'Angeli. The work reframes interrupted visual communication as a symbol of urban regeneration.

Why see it

• Experience circular economy principles applied to urban art.
• Explore the intersection of civic action and cultural production.
• See a collective installation that reinserts reclaimed materials into the public conversation.

"Materia Comune" is more than an exhibition: it encourages rethinking public space and citizens' role in city care. From material recovery to cultural return, the installation completes a virtuous cycle of reuse and participation.