In New York, the first U.S. retrospective dedicated to Maria Lai

Magazzino Italian Art presents the exhibition Maria Lai: A Journey to America, the first U.S. retrospective dedicated to a key figure in 20th-century Italian art. Lai's eclectic and visionary work built a bridge between the traditions of her native Sardinia, the sensibilities and methods of Arte Povera, and the influence of American culture on the international art scene.

On display from November 15, 2024, to July 28, 2025, the exhibition will feature approximately 100 works by Maria Lai, many of which are being shown to the public for the first time.

Most of the works on view have never been seen in the United States, offering an extensive overview of Maria Lai's artistic journey, from her beginnings in the 1950s to the early 2000s, with a particular focus on her innovative approaches in collective and relational art. Curated by Magazzino Italian Art’s Artistic Director Paola Mura, the exhibition includes a significant selection of works from the Magazzino collection, private American collections, and Italian institutions, including the Maria Lai Foundation, the Sardinia Foundation, MAN – Museo d'Arte della Provincia di Nuoro, the Museum of Aggius, the Civic Museums of Cagliari, MUSMA – Museum of Contemporary Sculpture Matera, the Regional Council of Sardinia, and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, with the support of Ilisso Edizioni.

Magazzino Italian Art: the only american museum dedicated to italian art

The nonprofit museum and research center is dedicated to promoting the knowledge and public appreciation of postwar and contemporary Italian art in the United States. Magazzino is a steadfast supporter of Italian artists, celebrating the full range of their creative practices, from Arte Povera to the present. Through its curatorial, academic, and public initiatives, Magazzino Italian Art explores the impact and lasting resonances of Italian art globally.

In Italian, “magazzino” means “warehouse,” and the institution was co-founded by Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu, inspired by a desire to share their love and passion for Italian art with the community. As it stands today, the institution reflects an evolving identity: originally a private initiative, Magazzino has grown over just a few years into its current status as a public museum and foundation.

The main building, a 20,000-square-foot structure designed by Spanish architect Miguel Quismondo, opened in 2017. In September 2023, Magazzino expanded its interior by 13,000 square feet with the opening of the independent Robert Olnick Pavilion, designed by architects Alberto Campo Baeza and Miguel Quismondo and named in memory of Nancy Olnick’s father, creating a new cultural hub and community resource in the Hudson Valley. The museum is a space where visitors can engage, observe, and reflect on the relationship between postwar and contemporary Italian art.

In the spirit of its co-founders, the Magazzino Italian Art team is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and supporting these same values in its academic, educational, and curatorial initiatives. Magazzino is dedicated to making the community a central element of its mission, both internationally and locally, directly reflected in the importance the museum places on visitor interaction, both on-site and online.

Where:
Magazzino Italian Art
2700 Route 9, Cold Spring, New York 10516

When:
From November 15, 2024, to July 28, 2025
Tickets: https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/511/calendar

Website: https://www.magazzino.art/visit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magazzino/