My "Romeo and Juliet: The Metamorphosis" Stuns at Windsor Castle Exhibition
A major milestone for the “Romeo and Juliet: The Metamorphosis” collection has finally been achieved. My collection, inspired by the Shakespearean classic, was exhibited in front of the British royal family. And no, this isn’t clickbait: it really happened. It was an emotional moment that added even more value to the collection and my artistic career.
I still can’t believe I managed to present my work to the royal family. The tension and excitement were palpable, but seeing my collection appreciated in such a prestigious setting made 2024 one of the best years of my life.
My Journey
My name is Alex Righetto, and I’m an Italian artist. After exhibiting in Times Square, a solo show in Miami, and touring Europe in 2023, I returned to London with a unique opportunity: to showcase my solo exhibition at Windsor Castle. “Romeo and Juliet: The Metamorphosis” is a project I began in 2021, and it has continued to grow and evolve.
The Concept Behind the Collection
“Romeo and Juliet: The Metamorphosis” is a contemporary and innovative reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic. The collection explores love, transformation, and duality themes, using a blend of traditional and modern techniques. I wanted to create a dialogue between the past and the present, showing how the emotions and conflicts of an ancient story can still resonate in our contemporary world. My works offer a unique vision of the characters and iconic scenes, infusing new meanings and perspectives into the tragic love story.
Highlights of the Collection
One of the main pieces in the collection is “The Balcony Scene: The Essence of Love Defined.” This piece captures the iconic moment when Romeo and Juliet declare their eternal love. I aimed to represent the purity and intensity of their emotions through a combination of vibrant colors and innovative painting techniques. You can find more information about this piece and others in the collection here.
Public Reactions
The reactions from the audience at the event were incredible. Many people spent a long time admiring the pieces, captivated by the details and emotional depth. I noticed that many visitors scanned the QR code for more information, showing a genuine and deep interest in my work.
I had the chance to speak with the Governor of Windsor Castle, who was very pleased with my work. His approval added another layer of satisfaction to the day.
Pre-Event Preparations
Preparing for the event was quite a journey. The artworks were in the United States, so transporting them to the UK and reframing them posed significant challenges. However, seeing everything perfectly set up at Windsor Castle made all the effort worthwhile. An interesting detail is that due to high security protocols at the castle, the company providing the exhibition panels was not permitted on the castle grounds. This created a logistical challenge for displaying the artworks. In a unique solution, the Royal military stepped in and constructed the panels on my behalf.
I chose Windsor Castle because I wanted to do something big that would create an impact. Shakespeare was from London, so I wanted to create a connection with the UK and the royal family. Windsor Castle, with its history and grandeur, was the perfect location for this event.
Meeting Prince Edward
One of the most exciting moments was meeting His Royal Highness Prince Edward. On Saturday, July 8, 2024, we sat down together at the castle, sipping tea and discussing politics and art. Edward was extremely curious about the details, being a culture enthusiast. He asked where I was from and if I was residing in the UK. It was an honor to discuss the inspirations and ideas behind my works with him.
To celebrate the occasion, the field in front of the castle was transformed into a dreamlike scene with a military parade. This event honored the presence of Prince Edward, King Charles III’s brother, adding a touch of majesty to an already unforgettable day. The parade included the Royal Guard in traditional uniform, and seeing it live was simply breathtaking.
Behind the Scenes
The event’s organization saw contributions from many key people, including the Oppo Foundation, Stacy Francis, Jamie Baulch, Cheryl Hicks (Jamie’s wife), and Melissa Farry. Their support and dedication were crucial to the success of the exhibition. The day was filled with tension and emotion, especially due to intermittent rain, which made organizing quite challenging.
The director of the PAAM museum in Miami Mr. Franklin Sirmans congratulated me on my work, a recognition that filled me with pride. Receiving positive feedback from other artists, art critics, and experts in the field was incredibly gratifying and motivated me to keep pushing the boundaries of my art.
Watch the documentary
Introduction to the Romeo and Juliet: the metamorphosis project
It’s the late 1960s, almost the ’70s.
They’ll call it The Summer of Love.
That year will be something special, something unforgettable. The young people of the time don’t know it yet, but it will go down in history as a unique, extraordinary moment.
A rebellious spirit, a sense of youthful triumph, and the realization that things can actually change are in the air. Everyone feels it.
Long hair, loose clothing, and a scruffy look become their badge of identity. Some smile at this transformation, while their parents despair.
The system, the machine, isn’t invincible.
Rebellion is possible.
This becomes clear as the media brings these stories to light.
Millions of people spontaneously gather in San Francisco.
It’s been twenty years since Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, and the time is ripe.
It’s the year of the Summer of Love.
In the summer of 1967, between 75,000 and 100,000 young Americans flooded into Haight-Ashbury to protest the Vietnam War and materialism, to experiment with drugs and sexuality, to explore alternative religions, or simply to seek and live out the hippies’ idealized version of enlightenment.
Nobody wants war anymore. Consumerism and conservatism make people cringe.
The radio plays San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair).
The echoes of voices shouting, of eyes turned skyward as they dance, impatiently awaiting the future…
All of it slowly fades into a distant, nostalgic hum.
Another story from 1500
Now, let’s go back a few hundred years to Verona, where Romeo and Juliet lived.
A different time. Same struggle. Two young lovers rebelling against conflicts and feuds that aren’t their own.
True love, overshadowed by the ambitions and desires of adults, is pursued in secret.
They, too, in their youthful rebellion, find a way to live life on their own terms, defying the expectations imposed by society.
But in their quest, they ultimately face a fate far harsher than anything life itself might have held for them.
The challenge to rules, the rejection of the present’s limitations, the generational clash, and the search for a better future—these themes are strikingly familiar.
Back to the present time
Now fast-forward to the present. Look around at a subway car.
People travel alone, eyes down, avoiding each other.
No one speaks. They’re absorbed in their electronic devices, on journeys filled with images and videos from social media.
A world where people compete for popularity to earn as much as they can from major corporations, who in turn pay them to promote their products.
Social media no longer allows for free expression. Instead, it’s monitored by artificial intelligence, isolating or banning anyone who strays from the “correct” narrative.
What happened to us? What happened to the rebellious spirit that has now morphed into conformity?
Why have we become the loneliest generation?
An art collection is born
The Metamorphosis of Romeo and Juliet is an art collection that, under the guise of retelling the world’s most famous love story, explores loneliness and the lack of authentic connections in the age of technology and artificial intelligence.
It’s a narrative journey inspired by the story of these two lovers, offering an alternative ending: a vision where they must survive their own struggles to build a lasting relationship.
It’s an emotional exploration of the past and the future, weaving together themes like relationships, selfishness, empathy, and emerging technologies.
The project began in 2021 and is still evolving. It’s been exhibited in Miami, London, and Verona, and seen by tens of thousands of people—including the brother of the King of England. It’s also sparked school workshops and in-depth seminars.
This collection’s story is far from finished, but it holds incredible promise.
The goal is to once again ignite a desire for change and a sense of freedom in future generations.
This time not as revolution but perhaps as evolution.