Framing the void – a restrained identity for Fontana’s late spatial works.

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The identity for Lucio Fontana: I Teatrini was shaped by the formal clarity and spatial tension of Fontana’s late works. Spanning print, exhibition graphics, digital materials and a limited-edition book. The Teatrini works sit between painting and architecture – theatrical voids edged with ornamental precision. The identity responded to that tension, balancing visual sharpness with spatial sensitivity.

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A Didone typeface was chosen for its sharp contrast and architectural poise, referencing the visual language of mid-century Italian poster design. The layout combined generous negative space with bold typographic structure – drawing on the rigour of that tradition without falling into pastiche. In the gallery, the identity extended into wall texts and signage that were typographically exacting and spatially measured.

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The publication carried the same visual logic. Produced as a tactile edition, its detailing referenced the physical language of the works – their layers, recesses, and cuts – without translating them literally. Across formats, the identity didn’t explain or decorate, but responded to the work’s spatial rhythm, creating a unified system that supported the exhibition without imposing on it. You can view the book in detail here.

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Artist: Lucio Fontana

Graphic Art Direction: Billie Temple
Gallery: Nahmad Projects

Installation Photography: Stephen White & Co