Matera 2019: New Archaeological Museum Setup Unveiled

Preparations for Matera 2019, European Capital of Culture, continue with the unveiling of a new setup at the Domenico Ridola Archaeological Museum. The museum, founded in 1911 within the former Convent of the Clarisse, houses collections donated by Senator Domenico Ridola, including prehistoric artifacts from local excavations. The new arrangement, directed by Marta Ragozzino of the Polo Museale della Basilicata, features a chronological reordering, enhanced graphic and photographic displays, and modern lighting. The museum will host two major exhibitions in 2019: 'Ars Excavandi' curated by Pietro Laureano, and 'Trecento '19 Duemila '19' curated by Gianluigi Colin and Antonio Troiano, produced with Fondazione Corriere della Sera and Fondazione Matera-Basilicata 2019. The latter will display 319 cover illustrations from La Lettura, featuring works by artists such as Ai Weiwei, Armin Linke, Anselm Kiefer, Damien Hirst, Vanessa Beecroft, Ettore Spalletti, and Mimmo Paladino.