MAXXI, the National Museum for the Twentieth Century Arts in Rome, will close 2015 with three exhibitions dedicated to architecture.The shows are a study of contemporary Istanbul; future ideas for Rome; and an exhibition of new acquisitions by the museum.Curated by Hou Hanru, with Ceren Erdem, Elena Motisi, and Donatella Saroli, “Istanbul. Passion, Joy, Fury” continues the museum’s exploration of the cultural milieu of the Mediterranean basin.Having explored the relations between the Middle East and Europe with an exhibition of contemporary Iranian art, the museum now turns to Turkey, for an in-depth exploration of major works, and new artistic production. Starting with the recent protests at Gezi Park, in which the urban population opposed the redevelopment of the park on democratic grounds, the exhibition will examine five major themes: urban transformations; political conflicts and resistance; innovative models of production; geopolitical urgencies; and hope.The artists and architects invited to participate will reveal the changes and cultural demands of contemporary Turkey, a bridge between Europe and Asia. The line-up includes studios such as Architecture For All, Atelier Istanbul, Extrastruggle, and PATTU, the winner of the YAP Istanbul Modern 2015 (click here to read our interview with PATTU).Opening simultaneously will be MAXXI Architettura presentation of its latest acquisitions for the museum’s Architecture Collection. The exhibition will include 10 pieces, including engravings and lithographs, documenting the less well known graphic work of Giovanni Michelucci, one of the greatest Italian architects of the 20th century. Michelucci built some of the masterpieces of rationalist architecture in Italy, including the Santa Maria Novella train station (in fascist style), and the tent-shaped church of St. John the Baptist (nicknamed the Church of the Autostrada), both in Florence.The remaining acquisitions from 2015 will be presented via video. This will include works by Guiseppina Grasso Cannizzo and Lauretta Vinciarelli, the entire professional archive of the Studio Monaco Luccichienti, works by Matilde Cassani, Crimson and Snohetta, and photographs by Andrea Jemolo.Finally, a presentation of the international workshop for imagining the urban future of Rome will be exhibited under the title “Roma 20-25. New Life Cycles For the Metropolis.” Promoted by Rome’s Department for Urban Transformation, this project considered a new map of the entire metropolitan area of Rome, encompassing its social and economic life.A total of 25 Italian and international universities were invited to make interpretations and proposals on themes ranging from architecture to the landscape, from infrastructure to housing. Within this large area, each university team has produced a fully developed proposal covering a small square, with 1km sides.“Istanbul. Passion, Joy, Fury” runs from December 11 through April 30, 2016. “MAXXI Architettura. New Acquisitions” runs from December 11 through January 21, 2016. “Roma 20-25. New Life Cycles For the Metropolis” will run from December 19 through January 17, 2016, at MAXXI, Rome.
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