The Playroom
Almost all the toys stored in the Playroom are the result of ingenious creative handiwork. Many of them depict vehicles and farm machinery, others carousels and “entertainments”.
Spaventapasseri animato (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Powered by a propeller exposed to wind, a man and a woman work, as if they are the ones making the blades spin.
La stanza dei giochi (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
La stanza dei giochi (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
There is more beauty in toys that have been made or remade at home, or in those coming from people giving away what remains of storebought toys. (Ettore Guatelli)
La giostra (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
From a fruit box comes a small carousel with a music box. Objects and animals have been carved out with a knife.
La stanza dei giochi (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Peculiar items fill up the Playroom, witnesses to recreational activities: embalmed animals, dried up mice, and crocodile skins ready to tickle your imagination.
One wall of the Playroom is like a huge catalogue of toys.
Mr. Guttalin (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
They’re little figurines born out of amusement, but they too suggest how one can make something out of nothing to while away the time. They also provide the pleasure of invention to their creators. (Ettore Guatelli)
La stanza dei giochi (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
In the Playroom, toys made by children peep out of the walls and ceiling; they were constructed using poor materials and scraps, tin cans, wooden shards, chestnuts and walnuts, et cetera…
Signora con cappello (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
My characters are enchanting, look closely at their faces and expressions. They are human and moving. They are different on their own, you just need to examine them well and you will already know where to drill holes, where to put the mouths, the eyes… (Ettore Guatelli)
The elegance of the hat.
Omino con il tabarro (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Well wrapped in the tabard.
Uomo con cilindro (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Gentleman with a top hat.
L'uomo con la barba (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Man with the beard.
Strani personaggi (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Aptly covered for the winter.
Lo smilzo (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
The lanky one.
Una sera a teatro (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
An evening at the theatre.
Lo spazzacamino ha perso il cappello (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
The chimney sweeper lost his hat.
I fantasmini (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
Three jolly ghosts.
Text by Mario Turci.
English translation by Anna Giulia Compagnoni.
We would like to thank Patrick Leech and Anna Giulia Compagnoni (University of Bologna), Jessica Anelli, Mauro Davoli, Monica Citti.
