Italian State Acquires Casa Balla for €7 Million, Paving Way for Permanent Public Museum
The Italian government has acquired Casa Balla, the residence of Futurist artist Giacomo Balla in Rome, for a sum between €6 and €7 million, ensuring its transformation into a permanent public museum. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli revealed this purchase, which honors a commitment made by his predecessor, Gennaro Sangiuliano, in the spring of 2023. Situated at Via Oslavia 39B, Casa Balla was envisioned by Balla as a comprehensive artistic creation, where he resided from 1929 until his passing in 1958. Declared a site of cultural significance in 2004, it underwent restoration by the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro. This acquisition aligns with a contentious Futurism exhibition set to debut on December 2, 2024, at the GNAM.
Key facts
- Italian state acquired Casa Balla for 6-7 million euros.
- Purchase announced by Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli.
- Previous minister Gennaro Sangiuliano pledged acquisition in spring 2023.
- MAXXI museum collaborated on the purchase and previous temporary openings.
- Apartment located at Via Oslavia 39B, Rome, in Della Vittoria district.
- Giacomo Balla lived there from 1929 until his death in 1958.
- Declared of cultural interest in 2004.
- Temporary openings occurred in 2021 and 2023.
- Curated by Bartolomeo Pietromarchi and Domitilla Dardi for MAXXI.
- Futurism exhibition opens at GNAM on December 2, 2024.
Entities
Artists
- Giacomo Balla
- Fortunato Depero
- Elica Balla
- Luce Balla
Institutions
- MAXXI
- Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma
- Istituto Centrale per il Restauro
- GNAM (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea)
- Ministero della Cultura
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Via Oslavia 39B
- Della Vittoria
- Torino