This exhibition has been designed to highlight the museum’s assets: not just the works of art themselves, but also the documents, skills and participation of the public. The works are arranged in accordance with a criterion that is chronological, certainly, but which in fact moves forward by major thematic shifts. A sort of ‘archaeology of the future’, displayed without visual hierarchy, highlighting the differences between categories.

“The magnificent obsession” offers a sensitivity close to the criteria of collecting and the visual conditions of reality, rather than the presumed neutrality and ascetic nature of modern and contemporary exhibition spaces. At the same time, the exhibition can be read as an account of the activities concerning the collections: conservation, restoration, institutional relations and study. These are fundamental and constantly evolving aspects in the life of a museum, which this exhibition will bring to the surface.

It is worth stressing one theme that cuts through the whole exhibition: that of a striving for the identity of the museum itself, which is marked by its own dynamism: starting with the works of Andrea Malfatti and running through the 20th century to arrive at Richard Long’s “Trento Ellipse”, made with porphyry from the Trentino.

For the same reason, “The magnificent obsession” houses works planned and made by contemporary artists who appear, offering their own interpretation of the historic succession of works: from the residence of Paco Cao, to special guests Emilio Isgrò, Liliana Moro, Christian Fogarolli, Paolo Meoni, Emanuele Becheri, Giuseppe Caccavale, Andrea Mastrovito and Michele Spanghero.

RESOURCES ON THE WEB

A set of 200 images on flickr. That will give you an idea of what we actually mean by "obsession"

Look at this Pinterest board published by our curatorial staff

Another video: the making of the show, with our staff very busy and very concentrated