Futurism exhibition at GNAM embroiled in controversy over curator dismissal and political interference
The upcoming Futurism exhibition, titled 'Il Tempo del Futurismo,' will take place at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna (GNAM) in Rome from December 3, 2024, to February 28, 2025. It is embroiled in controversy due to alleged political interference and conflicts of interest. While Gabriele Simongini serves as the official curator, Alberto Dambruoso asserts that he was pushed aside because of 'disrespectful rumors' that reached the Ministry of Culture. Dambruoso, who had been involved in securing loans from prominent institutions and was named co-curator in loan correspondence, faced exclusion after collectors raised concerns about his reputation. Additionally, the connection between gallerist Fabrizio Russo and Culture Commission president Federico Mollicone has raised eyebrows. The exhibition's size was reduced from 650 to 350 pieces. An episode detailing the controversy will air on Report on October 27, 2024.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Il Tempo del Futurismo' at GNAM in Rome from Dec 3, 2024 to Feb 28, 2025
- Official curator: Gabriele Simongini
- Alberto Dambruoso claims he was initially co-curator but was forced to step back
- Dambruoso involved in loan requests to MoMA, Met, Philadelphia Museum, Estorick Collection, Kunstmuseum Den Haag
- Simongini says complaints from collectors and museum directors led to Dambruoso's exclusion
- Gallerist Fabrizio Russo acted as intermediary for loans from private collectors
- Russo's friendship with Federico Mollicone (Culture Commission president) raised conflict-of-interest concerns
- Exhibition reduced from 650 to 350 works
- Report episode airing Oct 27, 2024
- Part of ongoing scandals at Italian Ministry of Culture
Entities
Artists
- Gabriele Simongini
- Alberto Dambruoso
- Fabrizio Russo
- Federico Mollicone
- Gennaro Sangiuliano
- Alessandro Giuli
- Maurizio Calvesi
- Osho
- Lorenzo Marini
- Ugo Nespolo
- Giancarlo Carpi
- Peter Halley
- Takashi Murakami
- Arcangelo Sassolino
- Grazia Varisco
- Guido Strazza
- Alberto Biasi
- Julio Le Parc
- Ugo Rondinone
- Nora Lux
- Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
- Carlo Carrà
- Luigi Russolo
- Umberto Boccioni
Institutions
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna (GNAM)
- Ministero della Cultura
- MoMA
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Estorick Collection
- Kunstmuseum Den Haag
- Galleria Russo
- Rai Report
- Striscia la Notizia
- Il Tempo
- Artribune
- Repubblica
- Giornale dell'Arte
- Allemandi
- Maretti
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM)
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- New York
- Philadelphia
- London
- The Hague
- Viale delle Belle Arti