Miart 2026's New Venue Criticized for Poor Layout and Signage Despite Some Gallery Successes
The 2026 miart art fair in Milan encountered backlash due to its new venue in the South Wing of Allianz MiCo, criticized for inadequate signage, perplexing layouts, and a scarcity of international collectors. The Established section was labeled as stifling, while Galleria Alfonso Artiaco referred to its setting as "a fantastic cathedral in the desert." Mazzoleni attracted significant interest in new tapestries, and Repetto Gallery successfully sold pieces by Arcangelo Sassolino. Galleria d'Arte Maggiore g.a.m. completed a sale of Giosetta Fioroni's sculpture to Fondazione Fiera Milano. Many exhibitors observed a mainly Italian crowd and prolonged decision-making processes. Tommaso Corvi Mora hinted at a potential reduction in size for next year. Uncertainty looms over the 2027 fair's venue and director, as Nicola Ricciardi's term concludes.
Key facts
- miart 2026 was held in a new venue: the South Wing of Allianz MiCo in Milan.
- The fair's layout across three floors was criticized for poor signage and confusing navigation.
- Sales were reported mainly in low to mid-price ranges, with fewer high-value transactions.
- The Emergent section had spacious, well-accessed areas, while the Established section was described as oppressive.
- International collector attendance was noted as insufficient by multiple galleries.
- Galleria Alfonso Artiaco returned after three years but found its second-floor location difficult for visitors to find.
- Mazzoleni celebrated its 40th anniversary with a double stand and reported interest in Marinella Senatore's new tapestries.
- The future of miart 2027 is uncertain regarding location and director, as Nicola Ricciardi's term ends.
Entities
Artists
- Valentina Cameranesi
- Pedro Liñares
- Marinella Senatore
- Arcangelo Sassolino
- Alessandro Piangiamore
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
- Pier Paolo Calzolari
- Bruno Munari
- Giosetta Fioroni
- Claudine Drai
- Giorgio Morandi
- Massimo Campigli
- Leoncillo
- Güneş Terkol
- Emi Mizukami
- David Lieske
- Bethan Lloyd Worthington
- Ruth Beraha
- Anila Rubiku
- Nazar Strelyaev-Nazarko
- Xian Kim
- Khaled Jarada
- Shafei Xia
- Erik Saglia
- Marco Cingolani
- Maggi Hambling
- Joe Zucker
- Bryan Hunt
- Antonio Kuschnir
- Tomas Rajlich
- Nanni Valentini
- Jerry Zeniuk
- Filippo Moroni
- Chiara Crepaldi
- Gastone Biggi
- Arnaldo Pomodoro
- Valerio Adami
- Tom Wesselmann
- Salvo
- Alex Katz
- Prampolini
- Santomaso
- Enrico Castellani
- Keith Haring
- Juan Uslè
- Ann Veronica Janssens
- Ugo Rondinone
- Lucia Leuci
Institutions
- Galleria Alfonso Artiaco
- Mazzoleni
- Repetto Gallery
- Galleria d'Arte Maggiore g.a.m.
- Fondazione Fiera Milano
- Centre Pompidou
- Satine
- Andrea Festa
- Eugenia Delfini
- Ferda Art Platform
- Ehrlich Steinberg
- Tommaso Corvi Mora
- Ncontemporary
- P420
- Thomas Brambilla
- Secci Gallery
- ABC-Arte
- Dep Art Gallery
- Farsetti
- ED Gallery
- Allianz MiCo
- ArtLine
- Baratti Pesaro
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Lugano
- Switzerland
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Bergamo
- Bologna
- Piacenza
- City Life
- Milano City Life