Franco Russoli's Writings on Museums Reissued by Skira

Skira has published 'Senza utopia non si fa la realtà. Scritti sul museo (1952-1977)', a new edition of Franco Russoli's collected writings on museums, edited by Erica Bernardi. The volume gathers texts from 1952 to 1977, reflecting Russoli's vision for the 'Grande Brera' and his innovative museographic ideas. Originally compiled by Russoli before his death in 1977, the first edition was published by Feltrinelli in 1981 as 'Il museo nella società'. This new edition restores the chronological order and includes an introductory essay by Bernardi. Russoli, a Florentine who moved to Milan in 1950, was instrumental in rebuilding the Poldi Pezzoli museum after WWII alongside Fernanda Wittgens, and became director of the Pinacoteca di Brera in 1957. He advocated for a museum as a 'center of intellectual life' and a 'kunsthalle', inspired by the Centre Pompidou. The 'Grande Brera' project aimed to expand the museum into Palazzo Citterio, acquired by the state in 1972, to house modern art collections including those of Jucker, Jesi, and Mattioli. Russoli's writings remain relevant, with current Brera director James Bradburne committed to completing the project, aiming to inaugurate Palazzo Citterio in 2018.