Introduction to La Via del Sabi: A Journey Through Japanese Photography and Ideograms
The Fortress of Lonato del Garda recently opened its doors to “La Via del Sabi – Sabi No Michi,” an exhibition that combines photographs and Japanese ideograms to reflect on time, impermanence, and the beauty of worn things. The vernissage, which took place on January 24, saw a large and varied turnout, demonstrating the national interest in projects that blend introspection and culture. The exhibition will run until March 22, 2026, and will culminate on February 14 with the official presentation of a volume of the same name, published by Folia Editions and edited by Andrea Lippi and Luigi Gatti.
The Via del Sabi is an exhibition itinerary that combines photography and Japanese ideograms
A Journey Through Images and Words
The heart of the exhibition is the dialogue between photographs by Andrea Lippi and ideograms interpreted by Luigi Gatti. The images do not tell linear stories but invite the viewer to pause and contemplate. According to Lippi, “It’s not about describing Japan, but about offering a space in which the visitor can travel a street made of voids, light presences, and silences.” The ideograms, in turn, do not explain but accompany the visitor’s step, amplifying the perception of space and time.
The heart of the exhibition is the dialogue between Andrea Lippi’s photographs and the ideograms interpreted by Luigi Gatti
Andrea Lippi’s Photography Project
Lippi began his photography project in Japan in 2015, delving into the study of light in urban and natural environments. The work resulted in the project “Lights of Japan,” which was exhibited in Italy and abroad, achieving international recognition, including two honorable mentions at the TIFA and IMAGE awards in 2024.
Luigi Gatti and the Culture of Walking
Luigi Gatti, a scholar of Japanese culture and author of “The Path of Japan: Shikoku and the 88 Temples,” brought his experience of slow pilgrimages and internal journeys to the project. According to Gatti, “The walk, the perception of the step and the environment, becomes a way to understand the relationship between time, memory, and beauty.” His work helps transform the visit into a meditative experience, where the audience is confronted with the sense of time and duration, in line with the Japanese concept of “sabi.”
The Rocca di Lonato as an Experiential Space
The choice of the Fortress of Lonato as the exhibition venue is not random. The 15th-century fortress, which dominates the southern basin of Lake Garda, unites grandeur and welcome. The walkways, watchtowers, and rooms full of history interact with the images and ideograms, offering a different perception of time, where memory and contemplation intertwine. According to Lippi, “The concept of sabi finds a natural resonance here, the marked stones and ancient walls amplify the sense of impermanence and discreet beauty.”
From January 24 to March 22, the Rocca di Lonato hosts the exhibition La Via del Sabi
Visiting the Exhibition
A visit to “La Via del Sabi” invites the observer to adopt a slow pace, where the interaction with photographs and ideograms transforms enjoyment into an inner journey. The views of Lake Garda and the Brescia plain complete the sensory experience. The path is not limited to artistic contemplation but includes the discovery of the entire monumental complex, from the crenellated walls to the Rocchetta, passing through the House of the Podestà. Access is guaranteed with a single ticket of 6 euros, allowing visitors to enjoy a complete experience between art and history.
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