Il Cosmo

Il cosmo (The Cosmos) by Susumu Shingu at Fabbrica del Vapore presents over sixty years of research by the Japanese artist, one of the leading figures in contemporary kinetic art. His light, constantly moving sculptures respond to wind, water, light, and gravity, transforming invisible forces into visible experiences and inviting us to rediscover the connection between human beings, nature, and the universe. Curated by Shingu Atelier, the exhibition brings together historical and recent works, models, documentary materials, and insights into the artist’s thinking, creating an immersive journey in which matter, energy, and architecture are in constant dialogue.

Born in Osaka in 1937 and also trained in Italy, Shingu has developed a practice at the intersection of art, engineering, and natural phenomena. His relationship with Italy is reflected in important public artworks and his collaboration with Renzo Piano. In an era marked by the environmental crisis, his art proposes an idea of balance, listening, and coexistence with nature, without resorting to didactic messages.

Also on display is Sandalino, a small extraterrestrial traveller conceived by the artist, symbolizing a childlike gaze capable of observing the Earth with wonder and an awareness of its fragility. Shingu’s works, suspended between design rigor and poetry, evoke sails, waves, and kites, transforming the space into a living organism and inviting the public to look at the world with respect, attention, and wonder.