RIV, an acronym obtained from the synthesis of two terms that, when used separately, generate a dichotomy of perspective in the consideration of self, others and society.

RES is the reference for those who stop at the “skin of reality” and perceive the real as a “thing” to be owned and synthesized, thus giving up on creating emancipation and growth, both for themselves and for the community.
Stopping at the Res can generate a surrendered mental and intellectual state of mind to the excessive and repetitive use of superficial content devoid of real relevance. Such a condition fuels what is now called, with an eloquent neologism, brain rot.

INVISIBILIA is instead the term of reference for those who seek meanings “beyond the skin of the world,” with the intention of inhabiting society beyond cultural homogenization.
The term refers to a process of deepening, which is necessary to recover the deeper meaning of our identity, of others and of the world itself. Overcoming appearances and stereotypes means turning our gaze to otherness, to elsewhere, and going beyond simplification.
Invisibilia thus alludes to an engagement, moreover typical of art, in which processes of signification generate reflections that are also oriented toward the future. This approach turns attention to impoverished places, to marginality, to what is often – and erroneously – considered superfluous.
Invisibilia is a term that eschews the uniformity of meaning imposed as a recipe, to give rise to a reflection capable of generating common reasons for the care of a society founded on human dignity.

The international directives and the goals set by the United Nations 2030 Agenda call for a heightened awareness of mission among organizations tasked with contributing to cultural and social development.

The statutory objectives of Fondazione RIV are inspired by a deep commitment to local communities, regional identity, environmental sustainability, the safeguarding of diverse cultural expressions and contemporary creativity, as well as the tangible and intangible cultural heritage recognized as part of our shared universal legacy.

The Foundation is committed to promoting—within its statutorily defined scope—activities that create spaces and dimensions where culture is nurtured and supported for its intrinsic value. Its aim is to broaden public understanding of art and artists, not only by engaging professionals, but also by reaching a wider audience—bringing citizens and visitors closer to creativity while stimulating meaningful cultural dialogue.

Fondazione RIV will work in synergy with other foundations and cultural or social institutions committed to contemporary art, sacred art, and socially engaged artistic practices. These collaborations are driven by a shared conviction that cultural initiatives must also generate social cohesion and individual growth.

The Foundation’s present and future initiatives will arise from collaborative processes involving foundations, institutions, artists, curators, researchers, and cultural actors, with an emphasis on shared projects and co-created methodologies.

Artist residency programs promoted and organized by the Foundation will align with the objectives outlined by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC) and the PNRR Mission for Culture, while also serving as valuable platforms for dialogue within the cultural community. These programs aim to help bridge the cultural divide affecting populations at risk of marginalization, providing tools for participation and access.

Operating as an open societas, the Foundation’s vision welcomes the critical, in-depth engagement of artists, curators, and scholars who reflect on the tensions of contemporary society. The goal is to foster new narratives—collectively shaped—that emerge from thoughtful confrontation and shared ethical values.

The Foundation is committed to developing artistic and cultural initiatives that act as resonant chambers, spaces for recovering perspectives that stand against cultural homogenization—a phenomenon widely addressed by sociologists, journalists, and both secular and religious thinkers. The ultimate hope is to contribute to the construction of a “humanized time”, without which society risks fracturing into conflict and indifference.

Born out of a broad, inclusive dialogue, Fondazione RIV places its work at the service of the community, standing alongside other foundations and institutional partners to create conditions—whether modest or ambitious—through which art and culture may fully retain their dual role as creative expression and social responsibility.

Inaugural Exhibition: Spazio Umano
Spazio Umano is the inaugural exhibition of Fondazione RIV and embodies its foundational mission: to reaffirm the importance of a spiritual vision—expressed through a form of laicity—that embraces the value of the past, the urgency of the present, and the potential of the future as a means of safeguarding the human dimension.

The exhibition was born from an idea that evolved into a shared project—an effort uniting foundations, social organizations, curators, and artists who came together around a common method, commitment, and set of values.