An Important Film: Polychromy in the Pier Luigi Nervi Halls at the Turin Exhibition Center

Hidden by several layers of white paint, the almost forgotten polychromy of Nervi’s exhibition halls emerges from historical images, not necessarily intended to document the complex, but rather as a setting for exhibitions, fairs or film and advertising sets. Historical documentation reveals Nervi’s presence on the building site and his desire to supervise the finishing phases. The first stratigraphic investigations also testify to his attention color, as well as the subsequent transformations of use. Specific theoretical and technical issues regarding the conservation of the pictorial layers in relation to the conservation of the reinforced concrete elements are outlined. Furthermore, the use of polychromy in combination with the original employment of natural and artificial light sources introduces new facets into the analysis of Nervi’s work, offering the opportunity for original reflection. This is particularly true if we consider the impact of the interventions carried out so far, even those considered non-invasive, such as routine maintenance operations and some technological upgrades.