Olympic Imaginaries

Designer Matt Millette, foto di Nate Atthay, courtesy Akwasi Frimpong

Milan: White Out. The Future of Winter Sports
Curated by Konstantin Grcic and Marco Sammicheli, the exhibition draws inspiration from the concept of whiteout—the optical effect that blurs the boundary between sky and snow at high altitude—to reflect on the future of winter sports in the age of climate change. Through a thematic journey, the show explores the impact of disappearing snow on sporting practices, equipment, and infrastructures, offering a critical and contemporary perspective on a transforming ecosystem.

Until March 15, 2026
At Triennale Milano 
 

Courtesy of Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti

Cortina d’Ampezzo: Cortina di Stelle
Fulvio Morella’s exhibition, hosted at 2,732 meters at Lagazuoi, focuses on the relationship between art, inclusion, and sport in view of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympics. Part of the official Cultural Olympiad program and curated by Sabino Maria Frassà, the exhibition presents multisensory works that integrate Braille as an artistic language and an accessibility tool. The unique setting of Lagazuoi, suspended between sky and rock, enhances the experience, creating an intense dialogue between art, nature, and perception.

Until April 5, 2026
At Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti 
 

Utagawa Hiroshige. Il porto di Uraga nella provincia di Sagami sotto la neve

Milan: Il senso della neve
The exhibition presents a multidisciplinary journey exploring snow as a natural, symbolic, and cultural phenomenon through more than 150 works spanning art, science, and anthropology. Curated by Sara Rizzo and Alessandro Oldani, the show examines the role of snow in art history, Arctic and Alpine cultures, and scientific research, while addressing contemporary issues such as climate change and the relationship between nature and culture.

Until June 28, 2026
At the Mudec of Milan 
 

Courtesy of gres art 671

Bergamo: Fuoripista
Dedicated to winter sports, the exhibition investigates the relationship between sport and the mountain environment.
Curated by 2050+ with gres art 671, it brings together art, design, architecture, and archival materials in a thematic itinerary addressing climate change, technology, and social transformations, offering a critical view of the evolution of Alpine imagery.

Until February 8, 2026
At gres art 671 
 

Giochi Olimpici Invernali di LakePlacid1980Finale di hockey su ghiaccio USA –URSS, squadra statunitense, © 1980 /Kishimoto/IOC

Sondrio: VETTE. Storie di sport e montagne
Curated by Rosario Maria Anzalone and Silvia Anna Biagi, the exhibition explores the relationship between sport, Alpine territory, and society. Part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Cultural Olympiad, it offers a historical and cultural perspective on the mountain as a space of challenge and collective imagination. The exhibition traces the evolution of winter sports and Alpine traditions, from pioneering experiences to modern tourism, highlighting changes in landscapes and lifestyles since the mid-twentieth century.

Until August 30, 2026
At Museo Nazionale Palazzo Besta 
 

Courtesy of Comune di Milano

Milan: L’Italia sulla neve
Italians and winter sports in illustrated periodicals and advertising graphics from the Bertarelli Collection
The exhibition reflects on the spread of winter sports culture and the role of the mountains as a central destination for sports tourism in Italy. Through a selection of over one hundred works—including magazines, posters, catalogues, and brochures—the show offers an original perspective on the origins and evolution of this imagery.

Until March 22, 2026
At Castello Sforzesco 
 

Courtesy of Silvia De Bastiani. Water and Peaks

Milan: Water and Peaks. An Olympic Journey Through the Alps
Silvia De Bastiani’s exhibition is dedicated to the Alpine landscape and the territories of the Winter Olympics. Through watercolor painting, the artist creates an immersive and emotional experience, transforming the landscape into a tool for investigation and storytelling. Curated by Vera Agosti and produced by the Comune di Milano and Fondazione Federica Galli ETS, the exhibition presents 30 works accompanied by study materials and photographs.

Until April 6, 2026
At Fabbrica del Vapore