“Angels. Cinquant’anni di storie del Pastificio Cerere” is the title of the group exhibition organized by Fondazione Pastificio Cerere in Rome as part of the celebrations for its 20th anniversary and on view till November 30, 2024. The exhibition, curated by artistic director Marcello Smarrelli, is designed to paint a portrait of the former pasta factory and reconstruct the creative ferment that has characterised it since the 1970s, including works from Elsa Peretti, who was a longtime supporter of the Fondazione Pastificio Cerere’s activities through the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) and friend of Flavio Misciattelli, president of the institution.

The exhibition “Angels. Cinquant’anni di storie del Pastificio Cerere” presents a narrative of the artists, intellectuals, gallery owners, curators and figures linked to the institution over time. Elsa Peretti is featured in the exhibition through a display based on the Heart theme, standing as a testament of her generosity and sensibility. The exhibition featured works by Elsa Peretti like the Heart paperweight in red crystal designed for Tiffany &a Co. and Elsa Peretti’s drawing of Open Heart, alongside objects from Elsa Peretti Private Collection, managed by the NaEPF, like Andy Warhol’s E.P. in a heart pen on cardboard envelope, and a 1930s copy of the book Cuore by Edmondo De Amicis.

The collaboration between the NaEPF and Fondazione Pastificio Cerere dates back to 2007 with the aim of promoting arts and culture in Rome through numerous artistic initiatives.Enlivened by the role of the former factory that from the 1970s has been turned into a landmark of the Roman cultural scene and a forge for the artistic avant-garde, the partnership counts seven projects alongside a continuous support spanned over 10 years. The first project was the photographic exhibition “Metrochip – Microcity” by Olimpia Ferrari, followed in 2008 by “Invasi” conceived by artist Bruno Ceccobelli. In 2010, it was the turn of “Carta d’identità degli stati d’animo” by Seboo Migone in which landscapes, still lifes, human figures and animals alternated, creating visual scenarios. An important milestone during the long parternship with Fondazione Pastificio Cerere was the exhibition dedicated to the Hungarian photographer Ghitta Carell in 2013, particularly dear to Elsa Peretti for having portrayed her parents alongside the protagonists of Italy between 1930s and 1950s. In 2016, the exhibition “Veure” payed homage to Catalan artist Robert Llimós during the celebration of his forty-year-long career. The extensive solo exhibition, strongly desired by Elsa Peretti to honor her long-time friendship with Llimós, brought to Rome the artist’s latest production: Aliens. While in 2018, “170 racconti in bottiglia” engaged high school students in the creation of miniature works inspired by Claudio Magris’ Danubio. Also in 2018, the NaEPF was among the partners of “Inventory. The Fountains of Za’atari” a project by artist Margherita Moscardini, winner of the first edition of the Italian Council 2017 competition, which was the the result of the artist’s research carried out at Camp Za’atari in Jordan, the second largest refugee camp in the world.