Pistoia protests plan to close Marino Marini Foundation and move works to Florence

A proposal to close the Fondazione Marino Marini in Pistoia and transfer its collection to the Museo Marino Marini in Florence has sparked public outcry. The foundation's board decided to consolidate the two monographic museums, located less than 40 km apart, into a single institution. Citizens of Pistoia have formed the committee 'Nessuno tocchi Marino' and held protests, fearing the loss of a cultural hub that has served the community for decades. The Pistoia museum, housed in Palazzo del Tau, has been central to local social geography, offering educational programs that engaged thousands of children. Critics argue the decision prioritizes property logic over public service. The foundation was established in Pistoia in 1983, while the Florence foundation dates to 1988. Both originated from separate donations by Marino Marini and his wife Marina. The controversy highlights tensions between rationalization and community identity. Pistoia was Italian Capital of Culture in 2017. The article, written by Marco Bazzini, argues for keeping Marini's legacy in Pistoia, citing the city's rich 20th-century art history with figures like Giovanni Michelucci and Fernando Melani.