Dolce Far Niente
MyMA is delighted to present its upcoming online summer exhibition, Dolce Far Niente, curated by London-based curator Vittoria Beltrame.
From Italian, mother tongue of the curator, Dolce Far Niente translates to “the sweetness of doing nothing.” Far from idleness, it speaks to an artful way of being, one that embraces stillness as a conscious choice, a celebration of presence, and an invitation to dwell in life’s quiet pleasures. This exhibition draws on that philosophy, creating a contemplative space where time slows and attention deepens.
Through a selection of works spanning from painting, to photography or sculpture, Dolce Far Niente reflects on the rare beauty that emerges when one steps away from the relentless pace of modern life.
Here, the ordinary becomes extraordinary: the warmth of late afternoon light, the gentle sway of leaves in a breeze, the unhurried rhythm of a shared moment. These instances, so easily overlooked, are given the space to breathe, to expand, and to reveal their quiet poetry.
The exhibition’s tone is one of openness and ease, yet its message is intentional. In an era that glorifies overachievement and constant activity, fuelled by social media’s endless parade of perfect lives and relentless productivity - finding balance between such and stillness becomes a quiet act of caring for oneself, a way to safeguard our capacity for joy, intimacy, and presence. In such, each artwork offers a different pathway into that state of receptivity, from intimate observations of domestic interiors to expansive settings bathed in summer haze.
Presented online, Dolce Far Niente becomes a pause in itself: an accessible, borderless space where viewers can step into a slower current, wherever they may be. It asks us not to rush through, but to linger. Not to consume, but to savour. In this space, doing “nothing” becomes everything: a reminder that life’s most profound pleasures are often found in the simplest of moments.
Text by Vittoria Beltrame
To view the exhibition and collect the artwork please visit MyMA at https://www.myma.art/exhibition. Available till November 1st, 2025.