KURA Opens in Milan, Sparking Debate on Opportunities for Young Italian Artists
KURA, a newly established art venue in Milan, has taken over the former Peep-Hole location at Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, directly across from the Lia Rumma gallery. The name KURA, inspired by the magazine Cura, incorporates 'K' to signify a disruptive innovation. This space continues the magazine's vision, presenting exhibitions curated by Andrea Baccin and Ilaria Marotta. It will feature both solo and group exhibitions from artists born in the early 1980s, addressing the issue of the lack of international representation for Italian artists. The article raises concerns about KURA's emphasis on foreign artists and its ability to attract an audience. In contrast, Milan has seen a surge in artist-led initiatives like Matteo Cremonesi's Office Project Room and Alessandro Laita's Conversation Piece series, which promote young Italian talent.
Key facts
- KURA opened in Milan at the former Peep-Hole space within Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, opposite Lia Rumma gallery.
- The name KURA is a distortion of the magazine Cura, with the 'K' symbolizing novelty and referencing Kunsthalle.
- KURA is the physical extension of the magazine Cura, complementing the Rome basement program by Andrea Baccin and Ilaria Marotta.
- The space will alternate solo and group shows by artists mostly born around the early 1980s who have emerged internationally.
- The article questions whether KURA will feature many Italian artists of that generation, given their low international presence.
- Italian artists born in the early 1980s are scarce internationally due to curators favoring foreigners, galleries not supporting locals, and weak Italian art magazines abroad.
- KURA appears to operate like a private gallery targeting collectors and insiders, with no opening hours listed on its website.
- Milan has seen artist-run initiatives like Office Project Room, Conversation Piece, and Current, which support young Italian artists.
- Office Project Room is run by Matteo Cremonesi in Porta Romana with support from an art-loving entrepreneur.
- Alessandro Laita hosts Conversation Piece in his Porta Venezia studio, giving visibility to young Italian artists.
- Current is an independent platform in Sant'Ambrogio founded by Alessandro Azzoni, Ruben De Sousa, Tania Fiaccadori, Carlo Miele, Francesco Pieraccini, and Marcella Toscani.
- Many young Italian artists attended the grand opening but remain marginal figures.
Entities
Artists
- Andrea Baccin
- Ilaria Marotta
- Matteo Cremonesi
- Alessandro Laita
- Alessandro Azzoni
- Ruben De Sousa
- Tania Fiaccadori
- Carlo Miele
- Francesco Pieraccini
- Marcella Toscani
- Daniele Perra
- Mitchell Anderson
- Davide Balula
- Anna-Sophie Berger
- Louis Fratino
- Nancy Lupo
- Mélanie Matranga
- Caroline Mesquita
- Adrien Missika
- Martin Soto Climent
- Roberto Coda Zabetta
- David Reinfurt
- Lorenzo Benedetti
- Luís Silva
- João Mourão
- Samuel Leuenberger
- Bruna Roccasalva
- Vincenzo De Bellis
- Anna Daneri
Institutions
- KURA
- Peep-Hole
- Fonderia Artistica Battaglia
- Lia Rumma
- Cura.
- Office Project Room
- Conversation Piece
- Current
- Artribune
- ICON DESIGN
- GQ Italia
- ULISSE
- SOLAR
- IED Milano
- unFLOP paper
- Basement
- Dexter Sinister
- Kunstmuseum St. Gallen
- Kunsthalle Lissabon
- SALTS Birsfelden
- Zero.
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Cenisio district
- Porta Romana
- Porta Venezia
- Sant'Ambrogio
- Rome
- London
- Berlin
- Brussels
- Via Stilicone
- St. Gallen
- Switzerland
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Birsfelden