Museion President Marion Piffer Damiani Reflects on a Decade of Leadership
Marion Piffer Damiani, president of the Museion Foundation since 2010, discusses the museum's evolution over ten years. Museion, founded in 2006 as a private foundation by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and the Museion Association, moved to its iconic KSV-designed building in May 2008. After a controversial start with Martin Kippenberger's work and financial austerity, the foundation appointed Letizia Ragaglia as director in late 2008. Damiani's priorities included rebuilding trust, stabilizing leadership, and introducing guest curators. The museum's international focus complements local institutions like the Ferdinandeum and Mart. Despite a 20% budget cut since 2010, earned revenue increased by 18%. Damiani highlights exhibitions like Body Check and a Kippenberger-Lassnig show as memorable. She emphasizes the museum's role as a relational space for contemporary issues.
Key facts
- Museion became a private foundation in 2006, involving the Province of Bolzano and the Museion Association.
- Corinne Diserens was director from 2007 until the museum moved to its new building in May 2008.
- The new building was designed by KSV – Krüger Schubert Vandreike of Berlin.
- Letizia Ragaglia has directed the foundation since late 2008.
- Marion Piffer Damiani was appointed president in 2010 and served for ten years.
- The museum faced controversy over Martin Kippenberger's work 'Zuerst die Füße' and austerity measures.
- Guest curator model was introduced to expand networks.
- Total financial contributions decreased by 20% from 2010, while earned revenue increased by 18%.
- Province of Bolzano's contribution decreased by 10%.
- Damiani cites Body Check and the Kippenberger-Lassnig exhibition as highlights.
Entities
Artists
- Marion Piffer Damiani
- Corinne Diserens
- Letizia Ragaglia
- Martin Kippenberger
- Maria Lassnig
- Veit Loers
Institutions
- Museion
- Museion Foundation
- Autonomous Province of Bolzano
- Museion Association
- KSV – Krüger Schubert Vandreike
- ar/ge kunst
- Museo Ferdinandeum
- Mart
Locations
- Bolzano
- Italy
- Berlin
- Germany
- Innsbruck
- Austria
- Rovereto
- piazza Sernesi
- via Dante