This documentary by Alessandra Galletta recounts the recent history of Italy through the works of contemporary artists, from the 1950s to the year 2000.

“Genius & Recklessness” is the Italian peculiarity to combine undoubtedly brilliant qualities to a notorious dislike for established rules. This documentary in four episodes includes images from Teche Rai and other video archives, plus new footage from museums, Biennials, and art foundations. It retraces the crucial events of the last fifty years of Italian history and shows how Italian artists reacted to them. A journey through society, politics, and culture, led by historians, philosophers, and art critics such as Giovanni De Luna, Paolo Baratta, Flavio Caroli, Filippo Ceccarelli, Cristiana Perrella, Valèrie da Costa, plus key contributions of artists like Ugo La Pietra, Francesco Vezzoli, Maurizio Vetrugno, Salvatore Falci and Paolo di Paolo.

Produced by Rai Cultura and LaGalla23. In Italian with English subtitles

This is event if part of the 19th edition of Giornata del Contemporaneo – Italian Contemporary Art, an annual event promoted by Associazione dei Musei d’Arte Contemporanea Italiani (AMACI), with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Ministry of Culture, celebrating Italian contemporary art in Italy and abroad.