Doha: HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, unveiled “Ultraleggera: A Design Journey with Marcello Gandini Between Italy and Qatar,” an exhibition co-produced by the future Qatar Auto Museum (QAM), the MAUTO – Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin, Italy, and VCUarts Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the exhibition originates from the vision and tenacity of VCUarts Qatar Associate Professor Simone Carena, who in 2022 successfully convinced Marcello Gandini to embark on his first-ever masterclass project in collaboration with QAM and VCUarts Qatar.
The opening of the exhibition was attended by prominent figures including Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums, HE Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani, Director of National Museum of Qatar, HE Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of Italy to the State of Qatar, Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region, and Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Turin.
The exhibition is the result of the Marcello Gandini Masterclass Project Moving Interiors with Marcello Gandini, a collaboration between QAM and VCUarts Qatar. Inspired by Gandini’s legacy, this initiative allows students to engage with his design philosophies. Gandini, known as the inventor of the supercar, has designs such as the Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Diablo, and Lancia Stratos that continue to influence the automotive world.
Professor Carena also serves as co-curator of the exhibition, alongside Marzia Gandini, daughter of Marcello Gandini and Founder of Think PR. The exhibition contents are co-developed by the curators and Gautam Sen, author of a monograph on Gandini’s design legacy. Ultraleggera centers on Gandini’s revolutionary lightweight design philosophy.
The exhibition will debut at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) from 22 April to 2 June 2025, before traveling to MAUTO in Turin from 19 June to 31 August 2025.
HE Dr. Hessa Sultan Al Jaber, President of Qatar Auto Museum, stated that the exhibition is a powerful opportunity to honor Gandini’s legacy and create a dialogue between past and present, Italy and Qatar.
Benedetto Camerana, President of Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile, expressed his pleasure in starting a long-term collaboration with Qatar Automobile Museum through this exhibition, promoting young people’s creative energy.
The showcase includes models, sketches, and prototypes from Gandini’s studio, offering insight into the evolution of his work. The exhibition challenges boundaries by focusing on “movement” as a design element and symbol of cultural exchange.
VCUarts Qatar students’ works, created through the Masterclass, emphasize 3D-printed “moving interior” installations and models reflecting Gandini’s design philosophies. This fusion of Gandini’s legacy with new perspectives creates an immersive experience.
Amir Berbic, Dean of VCUarts Qatar, highlighted the exhibition’s role in nurturing creative innovation and cross-cultural exchange.
Open to the public as part of Qatar Creates 2025, this exhibition marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between QAM and MAUTO. A talk on 22 April titled Driving Urban Futures explored how cities can build cultural ecosystems.
The talk was moderated by Jelena Trkulja and featured discussions with Stefano Lo Russo, Benedetto Camerana, and Irina Bokova.