wim wenders fondazione prada | “A Kind of Language” mostra il farsi corpo di un sogno, quello del

The Fondazione Prada, a renowned institution dedicated to fostering cultural dialogue and innovation, will dedicate a significant portion of its Cinema Godard program, running from February to September 2025, to “A Kind of Language.” This multi-faceted initiative, deeply intertwined with the cinematic vision and appreciation of Wim Wenders, focuses on the underappreciated art of storyboarding and other pre-production renderings, exploring their crucial role in shaping cinematic narratives. “A Kind of Language” promises to be more than just an exhibition; it's an investigation into the very building blocks of cinema, the visual vocabulary employed before the cameras even begin to roll. The program, as curated by the Fondazione Prada, delves into the process by which dreams and ideas transform into tangible cinematic experiences, offering a unique perspective on the creative journey of filmmakers across different eras and styles.

Wim Wenders, a master filmmaker known for his deeply humanistic narratives and his exploration of the human condition within vast landscapes, provides a fitting lens through which to examine this fascinating subject. Wenders, himself a meticulous planner and visual thinker, understands the importance of pre-visualization in crafting compelling cinematic stories. His own work, often characterized by its deliberate pacing and carefully composed shots, exemplifies the thoughtfulness and precision that storyboards can bring to the filmmaking process. The connection to Wenders, though perhaps not directly involving his personal artwork in the exhibition, is inherent in the program's thematic focus: a celebration of visual storytelling and the meticulous planning that precedes the final product.

A Kind of Language: Unveiling the Cinematic Blueprint

"A Kind of Language" aims to decode the visual language inherent in storyboards and other pre-production renderings. It posits that these seemingly preliminary sketches and diagrams are, in fact, a vital form of communication between the director, the cinematographer, the production designer, and the entire creative team. They are the initial articulation of the film's visual identity, the first drafts of its aesthetic language.

The exhibition will showcase a diverse selection of storyboards, concept art, and other pre-production materials from a wide range of films, spanning different genres, historical periods, and artistic styles. From the meticulously detailed storyboards of classic Hollywood productions to the more abstract and experimental renderings of avant-garde cinema, the exhibition will offer a comprehensive overview of the various approaches to pre-visualization.

By examining these materials, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the filmmaker's creative process, witnessing how initial ideas are translated into concrete visual plans. They will see how storyboards are used to map out camera angles, lighting schemes, character movements, and overall composition, effectively pre-staging the entire film before a single scene is shot.

A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings for…

The exhibition will not be limited to simply displaying storyboards as static objects. Instead, it will explore their function as dynamic tools in the filmmaking process. It will showcase how storyboards are used to communicate the director's vision to the crew, to solve logistical challenges, and to ensure that all departments are working towards a unified aesthetic goal.

Furthermore, "A Kind of Language" will highlight the collaborative nature of storyboarding. It will demonstrate how the director works with storyboard artists, cinematographers, and other key personnel to refine the visual plan, incorporating their ideas and expertise into the final product. The exhibition will present examples of storyboards that have been annotated, revised, and even completely redrawn, illustrating the iterative process of creative collaboration.

The exhibition will also delve into the evolution of storyboarding techniques, from the hand-drawn sketches of the early days of cinema to the digitally rendered storyboards of contemporary filmmaking. It will explore how technological advancements have impacted the process of pre-visualization, allowing filmmakers to create more detailed and realistic representations of their cinematic visions.

A New Exhibition Reveals the Thought Processes of Cinema’s Masterswim wenders fondazione prada

"A Kind of Language" promises to offer a rare glimpse into the thought processes of cinema's masters. By studying their storyboards and other pre-production materials, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of their artistic intentions and their methods of visual storytelling. The exhibition will reveal how filmmakers use these tools to experiment with different ideas, to solve creative problems, and to ultimately shape the final cinematic experience.

Imagine, for instance, seeing the storyboards for Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull," meticulously detailing the brutal boxing sequences and the film's distinctive visual style. Or consider the opportunity to examine the surreal and dreamlike sketches that preceded Luis Buñuel's "Un Chien Andalou," offering insights into the filmmaker's avant-garde vision.

The exhibition will also feature the work of contemporary filmmakers, showcasing how they are using storyboards and other pre-production tools to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. By presenting a diverse range of examples, "A Kind of Language" will demonstrate the enduring relevance and importance of pre-visualization in the art of filmmaking.

The Underappreciated Art of Storyboarding Strikes Back in Milan