Paper/Northern Lights by Gianni Pettena in Milan: immersive

The Work

Paper/Northern Lights is a project conceived by Gianni Pettena in 1971 and now re-presented in a configuration created for Milano Art Week. The installation converts a hall at BiM (Bicocca district) into a paper landscape: long, lightweight strips are suspended and flutter in response to air currents and visitors' movements, continuously altering light, shape and perspective.

Why Visit

This installation rejects passive viewing: the audience is encouraged to physically interact with the exhibited elements. The work fosters a direct relationship between body and space, shifting focus from observation to participation and offering a sensory experience that blends architecture, motion and fragile materials.

What to Expect

You will enter an environment in constant flux. Visitors' passage and gestures change the overall appearance, revealing new combinations of light and gaps. The experience is tailored to those seeking tactile and perceptual engagement rather than distant contemplation.

Practical Information

• Location: BiM, Bicocca district, Milan.
• Timing: presented during Milano Art Week; check official event or venue websites for exact dates, opening hours and access rules.
• Accessibility and bookings: verify if entry requires reservation and what services are available.
• Visitor tips:
  • Wear comfortable shoes to move freely inside the installation.
  • Follow staff instructions to ensure safety and protect the fragile materials.
  • If you are sensitive to drafts or thin materials, consider minimizing direct contact.
• Further reading: consult critical texts and archival materials to better understand Pettena's practice and historical reinterpretations of his work.

Where

Informative address provided: Arezzo Capolinea, 20162 Milan MI, Italy. Coordinates: 45.5263644, 9.2037945. Before visiting, confirm times and access procedures on the BiM website or the official Milano Art Week calendar.