The Case for a Blockbuster Exhibition of Blockbusters

Stefano Monti argues that the large-scale exhibition has become a distinct artistic medium, akin to television series in audiovisual culture. He proposes a meta-exhibition that would gather the most successful artworks from the top blockbuster shows of the past decade, creating a "blockbuster squared" aimed at surpassing the attendance record of the Nazi-organized "Degenerate Art" exhibition, which remains the most visited show in history. Monti envisions this as a multi-year, high-investment project requiring collaboration with museums, bold venue choices in peripheral urban areas, and a communication strategy rivaling major events. The goal is to transform exhibition-making into a structured industry comparable to audiovisual production, ultimately reclaiming the attendance record for art and culture. The article appears in the magazine "Grandi Mostre" #19.