Carlo Scarpa (1906–1978) a Decade after the Centennary

Text: Péter Klaniczay

A three-day programme of celebrating the centennary of Carlo Scarpa’s birth started on June 2nd, 2006. The venues are mainly in the province of Veneto in Italy. On this occasion almost the whole of the country joins the commemorations, including towns, institutions and private individuals, much in the same way as if they would do penance for not paying tribute to the master who is now unforgettable but had not received the respect he should deservedly have. in his lifetime. As a result, wider international interest was drawn to him on his death in 1978, even though his unfinished works had made his name well-known all over Italy by then. However, he had already presented several of his writings in architectural and interior design journals which made his works popular. Comprehensive works available in various languages also contributed to the accessibility of his oeuvre. However, in his homeland, in the vicinity of Venice analysis of his individual works started thanks to his former colleagues back in the 1980s, as well as a detailed survey of his designs. The events and publications of the past 10 years greatly contributed to a further in-depth analysis of the extensive oeuvre and several exhibitions and conferences enhanced his public image as one of the greatest characters of modern contemporary Italian and international architecture.