To celebrate the exhibition Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection, the Art Institute of Chicago will host a reading by actor Vincent Piazza of poems written by Gabriele Tinti. Piazza will perform Tinti’s poems, which draw inspiration from the sculptures featured in the exhibition, showcasing the world’s most significant private collection of classical art. This event, titled Songs of Stone, is presented in collaboration with the Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities and Global Antiquities at Northwestern, the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, and the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago.
Songs of Stone is part of an ekphrastic writing series created by Tinti, recently recognized by The Times and The Guardian. For many years, Tinti has crafted poetry inspired by works of art and mythological themes. The readings are designed to breathe new life into ancient art by pairing poetic expression with performance.
This event is free with museum admission, no registration is required.
Gabriele Tinti is an Italian poet. He has worked with the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Capitolini Museums (among many other institutions), and his poems have been performed by actors including Abel Ferrara, Willem Dafoe, and Kevin Spacey.
Vincent Piazza is an American actor known for his roles in film and television. He starred as Lucky Luciano in the acclaimed series Boardwalk Empire and portrayed Tommy DeVito in Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation of Jersey Boys. With a background in both drama and independent cinema, he has built a diverse career, bringing depth and authenticity to his performances.