The creation of the MADRE forms part of a project of cultural revival for the city of Naples which dates back to the 90s. Cultural initiatives such as the Maggio dei Monumenti (“Monuments in May”) and prestigious art surveys such as the installations in Piazza del Plebiscito, the contemporary section of the National Museum of Capodimonte and the stations on the Linea 1 subway service, designed by eminent architects and used to present works by leading international artists, are the most significant stages in a highly developed project intended to give stability and continuity to a coherent long-term plan.

 

This project was extended in 2002 with the exhibitions organized at Castel Sant’Elmo: Grande Opera Italiana, curated by Achille Bonito Oliva with the collaboration of Eduardo Cicelyn and Angela Tecce, and Napoli Anno Zero. Qui e Ora: a comprehensive survey of the emerging art scene in Campania. Both were promoted by the Campania Region and the governing body of the Museum Pole in Naples with the participation of DARC (Direzione Generale Architettura e Arte Contemporanee) of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities. This was followed by the survey Annali delle Arti (the annual organization of exhibitions, events and art encounters in the whole of the Campania regione) and major exhibitions with an international scope housed by the Museo Archeologico Nazionale with an anthological exhibition of works by Francesco Clemente (2002), Jeff Koons (2003), Anish Kapoor (2003), Richard Serra (2004), Anselm Kiefer (2004) and Damien Hirst (2004).

 

City Art Guide