Stalker's 'Abitare le rovine del presente' Maps Rome's Urban Reappropriation at MACRO

The exhibition titled 'Abitare le rovine del presente' at MACRO in Rome, curated by Giulia Fiocca and Lorenzo Romito from Stalker, explores themes of housing instability and urban reclamation. Stalker, which has been examining issues of gentrification and housing disparity in Rome since 1995, developed this exhibition as part of the Agency for Better Living initiative for the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. The installation comprises two distinct spaces: the first serves as a dynamic archive featuring materials on neglected areas such as Ararat and Quarticciolo, with a focus on the historic Mercati Generali. A video, 'Unpredictable Homes' (2025), presents narratives of transformation. The second space outlines Rome's housing crisis from 1870 to the present, including 'DNA di una lotta' (2025) by Jessi Birtwistle, encouraging critical reflection on urban voids and housing demands.