Milan's Missing Contemporary Art Center: Two Potential Sites Emerge
At Forum Cultura 2023, Angela Vettese and Stefano Boeri highlighted Milan's absence of a contemporary art center, despite the presence of institutions like Pirelli Hangar Bicocca and Fondazione Prada. Two municipal sites are being evaluated: Palazzo Sormani, which will be available in three years following the completion of the new BEIC library in 2026, and the Ex Panificio Automatico Continuo, a 1925 art deco structure that Milano Ristorazione is vacating. This former bakery, once the most efficient in Europe, is situated near a cultural district that includes Fondazione Prada and ICA. Its design is reminiscent of Tate Modern and Wiels. Past attempts to establish a center, such as in CityLife in 2013, were unsuccessful. The city may pursue private partnerships for financial support.
Key facts
- Angela Vettese and Stefano Boeri raised the issue of Milan lacking a contemporary art center at Forum Cultura 2023.
- Milan has spaces like Pirelli Hangar Bicocca, Fondazione Prada, PAC, and Museo del Novecento but no dedicated contemporary art center.
- Palazzo Sormani, currently the Central Library, will be vacated by 2026 when the new BEIC library opens.
- Palazzo Sormani was a municipal museum in the 1930s and rebuilt after WWII by Arrigo Arrighetti.
- The Ex Panificio Automatico Continuo, designed by Mario Faravelli in 1925, is being vacated by Milano Ristorazione.
- The Ex Panificio was once the most efficient industrial bakery in Europe, producing 1200 quintals of bread daily.
- The Ex Panificio is located in the Corvetto-Vigentino area, near cultural venues like Fondazione Prada, ICA, and independent spaces.
- Bologna's MAMbo is also housed in a former bread oven, providing a precedent.
Entities
Artists
- Angela Vettese
- Stefano Boeri
- Arrigo Arrighetti
- Mario Faravelli
Institutions
- Pirelli Hangar Bicocca
- Fondazione Prada
- PAC
- Museo del Novecento
- Palazzo Sormani
- BEIC
- Onsitestudio
- Milano Ristorazione
- Foody
- ICA
- ViaFarini
- Villa Clea
- Hub\Art
- Chezplinio
- Motelsalieri
- MAMbo
- CityLife
- Forum Cultura 2023
- Artribune
- Gambero Rosso
- Exibart
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Palazzo Sormani
- Via Bernardo Quaranta 43
- Corvetto
- Vigentino
- Symbiosis district
- Bologna
- Rome
- Naples
- London
- Brussels