From September 23 to 26 in Verona, The Plus Theatre becomes the cultural core of the 59th edition of Marmomac: four days of talks and reflections on contemporary marble
A new perspective on contemporary marble
Marmomac 2025, scheduled in Verona from September 23 to 26, goes far beyond the idea of a trade fair. At the heart of the event, The Plus Theatre hosts a brand-new format that brings together leading voices in design, art, and architecture for a multi-disciplinary dialogue on contemporary marble.
Structured around three central themes — Matter, Technologies and Design & Visions — the program investigates the expressive, material, and conceptual potential of stone today, offering a space for exchange between professionals, creatives, and researchers.
Lectures and Visions: key speakers on stage
Among the most anticipated events, the lecture by Davide Fabio Colaci (September 24 at 10:45 AM) offers a critical reflection on one of architecture’s most debated topics: the relationship between ornament, surface and material. Inspired by Adolf Loos’ anti-ornament theory, Colaci revisits this modern stance in light of today’s aesthetic and design shifts.
Later that day, at 3:30 PM, Yuri Ancarani and Laura Lamonea explore the poetic and visual power of stone in contemporary creative practices. On the 15th anniversary of Il Capo — Ancarani’s iconic film set in the Carrara quarries — Marmomac pays tribute to the artist’s work through daily screenings of the piece at The Plus Theatre Auditorium.
Technology and Craftsmanship: the return of the “Techno-Artisan”
On September 25, Joseph Grima brings to the stage a vision that merges manual skills and digital innovation: the figure of the techno-artisan. Halfway between craftsman and engineer, this hybrid practitioner combines CNC tools, generative algorithms and AI with the sensitivity of handmade work, shaping a new paradigm for contemporary design.
When stone speaks: sound, perception and material identity
A multi-sensory journey awaits on September 26 with Grazia Signori and Tommaso Maria Simonetta, who present a project that connects geology and sound design. Their talk explores how natural stone can evoke emotion through sight, touch and especially sound — from the sharp crunch of footsteps to the deep resonance of quarries.
The session introduces Sounds of Marble, Marmomac’s first immersive playlist, composed by Simonetta and available on Spotify starting July 14. Divided into three acts — Origo Lapidis, Sectio and Homo Faber — the piece transforms authentic quarry sounds into a symbolic narrative of origin, transformation and creation.
Marmomac Academy: learning and inspiration
The event’s cultural program is enriched by the Marmomac Academy, which offers accredited talks and training sessions recognized by professional orders in Italy, the UK (RIBA) and the US (AIA). The courses cover a broad range of topics, from stone classification and surface treatments to cutting-edge processing techniques and maintenance strategies. Case studies and expert insights further explore the artistic, functional and aesthetic dimensions of natural stone, helping professionals deepen their technical knowledge and creative approach.
A Cultural Lab for the future of marble
In addition to the main program, Marmomac also hosts meetings with the authors of the cultural installations exhibited within the fair. These encounters allow visitors to dive into the creative processes behind the projects on display, revealing how design and imagination shape the evolving identity of contemporary marble.
With this 59th edition, Marmomac reaffirms itself not only as the world’s leading trade event for the stone industry, but also as a cultural platform where art, design and research converge to redefine the future of natural stone.
Antolini at Marmomac 2025: a new immersive narrative
Among the most prominent presences at Marmomac 2025 is Antolini, a global benchmark in the natural stone industry. For this year’s edition, the company expands its participation with a visionary new exhibition format that complements its long-established booth at Veronafiere. The newly inaugurated Antolini Pavilion, housed in the central naves of the Gallerie Mercatali — a striking post-war industrial space located directly across from the fair’s main entrance — transforms into a 360-degree sensory journey through the world of stone.
Set beneath vast concrete arches and bathed in natural light, the pavilion showcases 50 of Antolini’s rarest and most exclusive stones, brought to life through immersive storytelling, spatial design and lighting. It becomes a place where material, space and time meet imagination.
Two spaces, one identity
The newly inaugurated Antolini® Pavilion, housed in the central naves of the Gallerie Mercatali — a striking post-war industrial space located directly across from the fair’s main entrance — transforms into a 360-degree sensory journey through the world of stone.
This new space does not replace, but rather enriches the traditional Antolini® booth, which remains the heart of its presence at the fair — a place of dialogue, continuity and in-depth engagement with architects, designers and industry professionals. With two complementary settings and one cohesive identity, Antolini at Marmomac 2025 offers a compelling experience where natural stone becomes a medium of wonder, culture and innovation.
