Per prenotazioni / Reservation :

COOP. IL SOGNO
Viale R.Margherita, 192 00198 - Rome (Italy)
Ph. +39/0685301758 Fax +39/0685301756
Email: service@romeguide.it

MAXXI architecture is the first national museum of architecture in Italy. Its identity is defined through its connections with Italy and Italian culture. The museum is home to two different souls, one focused on the historicisation of 20th century architecture and one focused on its contemporary counterpart, which seeks to offer responses to present-day questions by interpreting the exceptions of today’s’ society. A historical and contemporary museum that mixes the past with the present, adopting forms and methods focused on developing a path of study on a case-by-case basis, analysing trends, personalities, cultural models and social behaviour.

The MAXXI architecture collections are composed of a wide variety of materials and documents that, in different forms, represent the substance and conceptual complexity of architecture and its evolution: from the development of a design (projects), to its physical realisation (construction, techniques and materials), to its usefulness and insertion within a given context, be it physical (site, city, landscape) or cultural. The Museum’s collections grow through acquisitions, donations and commissions resulting from competitions and awards. What is more, the collections are part of a system focused on the management of a true “virtual patrimony” of a network of Italian museums and public and private archives. The curation and conservation of the MAXXI architecture collections is managed by the Archive Centre. Active since 2001, this structure is responsible for the conservation, restoration, cataloguing, ordering, inventory control and development of an on-line database of the various phases of architectural production. Furthermore, the Archive Centre offers assistance in accessing the archives and supports the various activities of the Ministry’s Archival Superintendent, including the promotion and support of the national census of architectural archives (cf. Directorate General for Archives) focused on the identification and protection of documentation inherent to 20th century architects and architecture.

Architectural Archives
The personal archives of many important 20th century architects and engineers such as

have been acquired by the DARC for the MAXXI architecture collection. The archives are currently preserved at the H.C. Andersen Museum in Rome, while awaiting the opening of the new home of the MAXXI. A consistent portion of the Carlo Scarpa archive is conserved by the Centro Carlo Scarpa at the State Archives in Treviso. The Archive Centre is also involved in projects for the conservation and valorisation of other archives, including those of Mario Ridolfi, held by the Accademia San Luca, and Adalberto Libera, held by the Central State Archives.

Architectural Documentation
This collection features material from the various design competitions promoted by the DARC, beginning with the competition for the new home of the MAXXI, and followed by those for young architects
(-D40). The collection includes drawings and signed sketches by various Italian architects, including Alessandro Anselmi, Giancarlo De Carlo and Paolo Soleri, acquired for the exhibitions presented by the museum.

The Special Collections
Articulated in different sections, the Special Collections include installations and singular projects designed and realised for the MAXXI, often as part of exhibitions and events. This section includes prototypes, design objects, products and elements of the represent specific examples of architecture.

The Photography Collection
This collection includes photographic images selected for their artistic significance and the validity of their documentary investigations. It is focused on recording the world in which we live and its transformations, captured in professional photographs of elevated aesthetic and poetic value, many of which are the result of special commissions, some still ‘in-progress’.

MAXXI art is the first National institution dedicated to contemporary creativity. The museum is focused on presenting 21st century art in a wide range of exhibitions and events – conferences, documentaries, film and video presentations, guided tours, musical concerts and dance performances. The scheduling of the museum’s activities will reflect the growth of its collections, giving a voice to the different languages of contemporary creativity. The museum's vocation is to be not only a place of experimentation, but also of production and distribution, allowing for a continuous reflection on its role and ability to adapt to new situations.

The collections of the MAXXI art present themselves as a strong nucleus that witnesses the national and international artistic production, with special attention to the experiences and realities that are linked to the Italian context. The increase of the collection has been carried out through purchases, donations and the development of a direct production, as result of prizes, scholarships and project commissions. These different procedures have allowed the creation of a collection that takes notice of the most different researches of recent years. Moreover, the works of important Italian and foreign artists of the XX century’s last four decades have been purchased in order to ensure the continuity between the most recent production and past experiences.  

Info

How to reach the MAXXI
bus n. 19, 53, 217, 225, 910
Metro A to Flaminio Station_tram n. 2 to the Apollodoro stop

Per prenotazioni / Reservation :

COOP. IL SOGNO
Viale R.Margherita, 192 00198 - Rome (Italy)
Ph. +39/0685301758 Fax +39/0685301756
Email: service@romeguide.it