Roma's MACRO Museum Still Without Director Amid Controversy Over Giorgio De Finis Candidacy
Since the exit of Federica Pirani over a year ago, the MACRO museum in Rome has been without a director. Speculation points to anthropologist Giorgio De Finis as a potential candidate, backed by deputy mayor Luca Bergamo, stirring controversy in the art community. In February, art historian Gabriele Simongini criticized Bergamo's policies, while in March, Carlo Alberto Bucci referred to De Finis as an 'anthropologist squatter.' An article published on April 23 in Il Foglio by Francesco Parisi and Manuel Orazi questioned De Finis's qualifications, gaining traction after he posted it on Facebook. While some commend his community-focused approach, others express concerns about his curatorial expertise. Observers suspect that Bergamo may eventually select a traditional director through a public competition.
Key facts
- MACRO museum in Rome has been without a director since Federica Pirani's departure over a year ago.
- Giorgio De Finis, founder of MAAM (Museo dell'Altro e dell'Altrove Metropoliz), is rumored to be the preferred candidate.
- Deputy mayor Luca Bergamo is a longtime friend and former schoolmate of De Finis.
- On April 23, 2017, Il Foglio published an article by Francesco Parisi and Manuel Orazi criticizing De Finis's candidacy.
- The Il Foglio article went viral after De Finis shared it on Facebook, sparking social media backlash.
- Critics argue the MAAM model prioritizes social activism over artistic quality.
- Bergamo envisions MACRO as a participatory, community-oriented space rather than a traditional exhibition venue.
- Bergamo's recent appointment of Francesca Jacobone at Zetema suggests he may choose a conventional director.
- Gabriele Simongini criticized Bergamo's policies in Il Tempo in February 2017.
- Carlo Alberto Bucci called De Finis an 'anthropologist squatter' in Repubblica on March 29, 2017.
Entities
Artists
- Giorgio De Finis
- Gian Maria Tosatti
- Cesare Pietroiusti
- Mark Bradford
- Tania Bruguera
- Yona Friedman
- Sabrina Dan
Institutions
- MACRO
- MAAM
- Il Foglio
- Il Tempo
- Repubblica
- Artribune
- Teatro Valle Occupato
- Leoncavallo
- Kshot
- Kino
- Zetema
- Miur
- Cnr
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Macerata
- Università di Bologna
- Palazzo Roverella
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Via Nizza
- Pigneto
- Rovigo
- Macerata
- Bologna
- Bari
- Naples