In the spring of 2018, the National Roman Museum, led by Daniela Porro (currently the director of the Special Superintendency of Rome), and Electa Mondadori, the museum’s concessionaire, commissioned Cristiano Leone to develop an artistic direction project to enhance the extraordinary archaeological, historical, and architectural heritage of the Diocletian Baths.
His goal was to return one of Rome’s most fascinating sites to its ideal role as a knowledge gymnasium.
Broad and diversified, the Ō program is an artistic stroll through all the spaces of the monument, symbolically highlighting its primary function: the transition from hot to cold. Its name, Ō, comes from the Latin interjection that allows the expression of a wide range of emotions.
First Edition | Ō FESTIVAL
More than 40 international artists with in situ performances every evening from September to October at the Diocletian Baths.
Six multidisciplinary installations from October to December at the Baths’ Planetarium.
All the events of the entire season were sold out within thirty minutes, and tickets for the opening evening sold out in just 4 minutes.
In connection with the festival, on September 28, 2018, an exhibition-event on the influence of primitivism in 20th-century sculpture was opened to the public: “Je suis l’autre. Giacometti, Picasso, and others“.
Seconda Edizione | Ō TEMPO DI
Following the audience and critical success of the first edition, the Festival was renewed with an even broader and multidisciplinary format.
After traversing the monumental hall spaces of the Diocletian Baths and its Renaissance cloisters, reaching the octagonal hall of the Planetarium, the 2019 edition arrives at Palazzo Altemps, a Renaissance residence that preserves masterpieces of ancient statuary.
With Ō Tempo, one hundred musicians, designers, actors, dancers, choreographers, directors, and international artists presented works specifically designed for these spaces to promote dialogue between historical heritage and contemporary creation.
Unfortunately, the health emergency prevented the completion of the rich program of 32 events.
