David Dolcini’s dialogue with time

The second act of renowned Italian designer David Dolcini’s site-specific exhibition entitled “Le forme del tempo” will delicately embellish the monumental spaces of Piacenza’s Volumnia gallery this March. Curated by Marco Sammicheli, the assortment of emotionally-charged wooden objects, silhouetted and sculpted by time, embodies the evolution of Dolcini’s exploration of forms and archetypes, a transformational journey that began in 2019.

Rarely does a designer choose to create in free-flowing fashion. To free oneself from a time frame takes courage and is indicative of an inner desire for self-exploration and creative refinement–eyes wide open, a slow, intuition-led pace. Born into a family of artists with a storied legacy in craftsmanship, David Dolcini’s “Timemade” commenced in 2019. By focusing solely on the process, the award-winning Italian designer let the act of working with his hands gradually guide him.

An ever-developing multilayered narrative enclosed in each, the distinctive objects made primarily of wood conveyed the passage of time and Dolcini’s evolution as a patient storyteller. “Le forme del tempo,” the second act of his site-specific exhibition at Volumnia set to open on March 29, 2025, will illustrate the designer’s musings at their freshest state.

The exhibition at Volumnia marks another chapter of Dolcini's concept "Timemade" (2019) and mirrors the Italian designer's professional and personal growth. - © Volumnia — The exhibition at Volumnia marks another chapter of Dolcini’s concept “Timemade” (2019) and mirrors the Italian designer’s professional and personal growth. – © Volumnia

Defined by their strong sculptural presence and mystifying charisma, Dolcini’s emotion-infused objects will be arranged in a pathway that aligns with the monumental nature of the gallery’s spaces, beginning in the forecourt of the 16th-century Basilica of Sant’Agostino and then leading toward the heart of Piacenza. The showcase follows the first chapter of “Le forme del tempo,” a captivating installation placed on the former Renaissance church’s forecourt, home of the Volumnia gallery, in December of 2024.

Dolcini has conducted a series of experiments, and complex craftsmanship exercises focused on woodworking and sculptural gestures. - © Volumnia — Dolcini has conducted a series of experiments, and complex craftsmanship exercises focused on woodworking and sculptural gestures. – © Volumnia

Curator for design, fashion, and craftsmanship at the Triennale Milano and director of the Museum of Italian Design Marco Sammicheli has collaborated with Dolcini on the setup. The arrangement of wooden objects is characterized by its raw honesty and subtle poetic pull. Shaped and sculpted by time and the unfolding of the designer’s identity as an artist, the objects represent a molded cluster of ideas that Dolcini has grouped into families–grafts, overlays, tendrils, and converts.

Both pictured above, Enrica De Micheli selected David Dolcini's enticing pieces for the programming at the gallery in Piacenza and at the Nomad fair in St. Moritz. - © Volumnia — Both pictured above, Enrica De Micheli selected David Dolcini’s enticing pieces for the programming at the gallery in Piacenza and at the Nomad fair in St. Moritz. – © Volumnia

Experimentation-prone, Dolcini’s body of work reflects his passion and investment in the building of a unique relationship with the observer. The designer’s woodworking and sculptural pieces evoke emotional tension as much as they allow one to experience a sense of attachment to them, simultaneously triggering self-discovery and osmosis. The objects on display at “Le forme del tempo” attest to Dolcini’s intriguing dialogue with time, rooted in his respect toward the present moment and his willingness to wholeheartedly trust and follow it.

Emotion-infused, the sculptural objects simultaneously blend with and enliven the monumental nature of the gallery’s space. - © Volumnia — Emotion-infused, the sculptural objects simultaneously blend with and enliven the monumental nature of the gallery’s space. – © Volumnia

By diving deep into the technical aspects, each of Dolcini’s concepts blends the designer’s understanding of materials and craftsmanship techniques with broad-spectrum research into art, history, and science. Founded in 2007, his eponymous multidisciplinary design studio specializes in product and industrial design, interior design, installations, and creative direction. Dolcini has developed projects with prestigious companies such as Luceplan, Porada, and Panasonic, where his technical mastery has merged with a profound sensitivity to materials. Several have received international awards and recognition, and have been exhibited at Triennale Milano and other distinguished design institutions worldwide.

Once abandoned and completely hidden from the eyes of the public, Piacenza’s Basilica of Sant’Agostino has been brought back to life through Volumnia and the vision of expert gallerist Enrica De Micheli. Following its inception in 2018, Volumnia has become a space where historic design meets modern art, where ancient beauty intertwines with contemporary modes of expression–an ideal setting for Dolcini’s masterful, memory-carrying objects to blossom.

“Le forme del tempo” is on view at Volumnia through 24 May 2024 at Stradone Farnese 33, Piacenza, Italy.