The complexity of the universe has always fascinated mankind, which has constantly sought to reveal its mysteries, the origins and laws underlying creation and existence itself.

What is there in common between the arrangement of sunflower seeds, the conglomerations of galaxies, a Gothic cathedral, the pyramids, Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings, the Fibonacci series and human DNA? A particular number, a geometric proportion discovered by the Pythagoreans, defined by Euclid and called “divine proportion” in a treatise by Luca Pacioli, illustrated by Leonardo and printed in Venice in 1509.

The irrational number, 1.6180, represented by the letter Φ of the Greek alphabet, is the symbol of the universe’s harmony. Nature, art and science are closely tied. The multiple forms in which Φ manifests itself highlight the profound relationship between the physical world, artistic and intellectual creations and the beauty of numbers.The “golden number” in many ways says much about ourselves. Its essential dimension is evident when man places himself in relationship with all or parts of it.

From this premise arose the idea for the exhibition, which rounds off the cycle started in 2007 with Artempo, and continued with In-finitum in 2009 and Tra in 2011.This exhibition cuts across the centuries and different disciplines – thanks to an international academic committee formed of scientists, philosophers, musicians, architects, historians and art historians, co-ordinated by Axel Vervoordt and Daniela Ferretti – exploring that universal value which since ancient times has been the number of divine proportion (or golden section); a unit of measurement able to give all things their inherent harmonious dimension.

It has offered a fascinating challenge that has drawn in great artists from the international contemporary scene, invited to reflect upon and produce specific works on the theme of proportion. Their works, in dialogue with important masterpieces of other times, will go to form a visual and perceptive symphony capable of involving the visitor in a broad reflection about universal harmony and beauty.