“Painting or sculpture? Art or furniture? Utilitarian or ornamental?” That’s Nicholas Cullinan, the curator of this exhibition at Fondazione Prada, wondering about the place, the medium even, of folding screens in history as well as in rooms. The practice of screen-making originated in China’s Kangxi period (1662–1772), and was then adopted by the Japanese, who painted their screens (called paraventi in Italian) with scenes of landscapes and aristocrats. Cullinan traces the evolving design of screens as they moved between East and West. In the fashion world, for instance, Coco Chanel’s collection of Coromandel screens are as well known as her little black dress. Cullinan pairs screens from antiquity with versions by modern masters such as Le Corbusier, Picasso, Man Ray, Ed Ruscha, and Cy Twombly. It’s a striking show. —Elena Clavarino