Verona stone sculptures are displayed in an exhibition hall with visitors admiring the artwork.

Verona’s Marmomac Celebrates 60 Years with Groundbreaking Stone Sculptures and Designs

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Written by Sam Johnson

2026-10-08

As the 60th edition of Marmomac unfolded in Verona, Italy, attendees were captivated by innovative explorations in natural stone artistry and technology. The inclusion of these sculptures offered a multifaceted view of the artistic potentials inherent in these materials. This event, held from September 22 to 25, presented an extraordinary array of exhibits showcasing avant-garde applications for materials like marble and granite.

Verona Stone Sculptures: Revolutionizing stone with Giuseppe Fallacia

Italian architect Giuseppe Fallacia led an ambitious project titled “C’era Una Volta Il Cielo Dell’Architettura” that fused research and academia. This exhibit pushed the boundaries of traditional stonework, challenging gravity with lightweight structures, engineered materials, and progressive construction techniques, prominently featuring local sculptures as part of its innovative vision.

Dive deeper into the artistic synergy of stone and innovation with Masae Nagao’s vibrant paper sculptures and how they blend craft with playful design.

Raffaello Galiotto‘s blend of design and technology

Industrial designer Raffaello Galiotto curated the exhibit “Carisma Materico,” which delved into the fusion of digital technology with stone craftsmanship. Featuring a striking tactile architectural sculpture, this display highlighted how natural stone’s aesthetic can be enhanced through computer-aided design and modern engineering. These creations were a highlight, demonstrating the seamless integration of design and technology.

Raffaello Galiotto's exhibit combines natural stone with computer-aided design.
Raffaello Galiotto created an exhibit focusing on the relationship between natural stone computer-aided design

Joseph Grima explores Lessinia’s heritage

“On Stone – Learning from Lessinia,” curated by British architect Joseph Grima and researcher Space Caviar, examined the enduring stone-building traditions of Lessinia, nestled between Verona and Trentino. The exhibit revealed how ancient construction methods could inform contemporary practices in addressing today’s architectural challenges, with these sculptures providing a physical link to the region’s heritage.

Joseph Grima's exhibit on Lessinia's traditional stone-building methods.
Joseph Grima showcased Lessinia’s vernacular stone-building traditions

Davide Fabio Colaci’s interior marble innovations

Designer Davide Fabio Colaci showcased the evolution of interior marble use with ten projects spanning across decades. Participants were invited to traverse an inlaid surface, crafted from repurposed marble fragments, illustrating marble’s dynamic role beyond mere decoration — as vital elements of spatial design. This exploration also included a prominent stone design exhibition, bringing a modern twist to ancient techniques.

Explore how ancient methods influence modern creations with VitrA Tiles’ exquisite Geocode collection, transforming natural stones into stunning tiles.

Outdoor installations of stone benches and chairs around Verona city.
Marmomac exhibited 18 stone installations, including benches and chairs, across the city of Verona

Sculptures take over Verona’s landmarks

In addition to the impressive in-house exhibitions, Marmomac expanded its artistic reach to the cityscape of Verona. Eighteen works by Italian and international artists adorned the city’s landmarks, from contemporary sculptures to functional stone benches, integrating art seamlessly into public spaces. The presence of these sculptures throughout the city highlighted the versatility and enduring appeal of stone in urban environments.

Marmomac’s landmark 60th anniversary not only celebrated the historical fusion of natural stone with modern technology but inspired future innovations in design and construction, reaffirming its status as a pivotal event in the world of stone and architecture. Participants were left with a deeper appreciation for the art of these sculptures and their role in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Verona stone sculptures are displayed in an exhibition hall with visitors admiring the artwork.

Source: dezeen.com

Frequently asked questions

What project did Giuseppe Fallacia lead at Marmomac?

Italian architect Giuseppe Fallacia led an ambitious project titled ‘C’era Una Volta Il Cielo Dell’Architettura’ that fused research and academia. This exhibit pushed the boundaries of traditional stonework, challenging gravity with lightweight structures, engineered materials, and progressive construction techniques.

How did Raffaello Galiotto blend design and technology?

Raffaello Galiotto curated the exhibit ‘Carisma Materico,’ which delved into the fusion of digital technology with stone craftsmanship. Featuring a tactile architectural sculpture, this display highlighted the enhancement of natural stone’s aesthetic through computer-aided design and modern engineering.

What did Joseph Grima explore in his exhibit?

Joseph Grima, along with Space Caviar, curated ‘On Stone – Learning from Lessinia,’ which examined the enduring stone-building traditions of Lessinia. The exhibit revealed how ancient construction methods could inform contemporary practices in addressing today’s architectural challenges.