By Ellie Nik and Chaerin Kim
Milan is undoubtedly one of Europe’s — and the world’s — leading cities when it comes to cutting edge fashion, cinema, food, architecture, and of course — art. With interests in contemporary art movements and gallery-hopping swelling across the continent, Milan is no stranger to the art scene, and certainly plays home to a number of impressive art spaces boasting the works of artists both young and up-and-coming, as well as those matured and established in the art world. While the city may be more known for hosting The Last Supper, check out the following not-to-be-missed contemporary art galleries next time you’re in the city and soak up a bit of Milan’s trendier culture for yourself.
Pirelli’s HangarBicocca in Milan’s Bicocca district is a former industrial plant turned non-profit institution; a giant warehouse space transformed into one of Milan’s most celebrated contemporary art spaces and one of Europe’s largest galleries. With entry free of charge and a rotation of exhibiting artists both Italian and international, exhibitions have often referenced architectural and spatial themes since the institution’s opening in 2004.
Currently, the Hangar is exhibiting a curated collection of works by late Italian artist Lucio Fontana. Named Ambienti/Environments, the collection includes installation works that embody Fontana’s deep interest in space, light, the void and the cosmos throughout the 1940s. Featuring immersive art experiences that involve the audience and pull viewers in to become active participants in the consumption of his work, to experience the works of the inventor of the Spatialist art movement in such hands-on way is a true treat here in Milan.
While it is not located in Milan’s city centre, the HangarBicocca is easily accessible for visitors via public transport and is a welcome departure from the hustle and bustle of the Duomo’s frequently overcrowded atmosphere. Complete with a bistro, reading room, activities for kids and families, regular public program events and guided tours, a day (or night!) could easily be spent strolling the Hangar’s gardens and expansive exhibition spaces with friends.
Free Admission
Ends Feb 25 2018
10am — 10pm Thurs — Sun
Galleria Fumagalli’s presence in Milan is relatively new, with its Turati-area chapter opening as recently as 2016. Prior to its illustrious launch, the gallery, run by renowned art curator Annamaria Maggi, has held a strong presence in neighboring city Bergamo roughly an hour away from Milan’s city centre for well over 25 years prior. Tucked away in the courtyard of a palace, Galleria Fumagalli is a discrete yet charming art space launched with the aim of becoming a meeting point for the city’s contemporary artists. Having presented over 65 artists and 25 collections, the Galleria takes a keen interest in themes including the history of art, minimalism, astronomy and conceptual art.
Currently the art space is playing host to an exhibition by French couple Anne and Patrick Poirier, DYSTOPIA, up until December 20th. Having been involved in the creation of art for the past fifty years, the Poiriers focused on creating plastic sculptures and environmental installations in order to research ancient societies and cultural organisations for their exhibition — particularly sites of ancient Mesopotamia. The result is a manifestation of suggestions for future societies, imagined but artificial civilisations. A conscious effort is made to remove traditional boundaries of time and space, or at least to blur them, pushing audiences to consider the intersection between our past civilizations and our future utopias or dystopias.
Free Admission
Via Bonaventura Cavalieri 6, 20121, Milano
Tuesday — Saturday: 11am — 7pm
Fondazione Prada is a best gallery to visit in Milan if you’re interested in contemporary arts. Fondazione Prada as you can know from the name, it is a cultural institution founded by Prada, the world famous fashion group, since 1993. Fondazione Prada is known for its diverse type of exhibitions. The time we visited Fondazione Prada, there were 6 exhibitions going on, and there was so many arts to see. If you want to see which exhibitions is going on, you could check current exhibitions at the official website of Fondazione Prada before visiting. There are 10 main buildings, and each building has different exhibitions by different artists.
The first impression of Fondazione Prada was really calm and classic. Fondazione Prada was really well organized, and quiet so the atmostphere was really great to see the exhibitions. But it was little bit hard to find the right buildings by map. Also, Fondazione Prada has lots of different types of shows to see. It has not only paintings, but also 3 dimensional artworks, interactive artworks that an audience can participate all together in the artwork. The “Slight Agitation ¾:Gelitin” was an impressive wooden structure-interactive artwork. It is a spiral wooden structure that assumes the configuration of a Roman amphitheater. 14 Visitors can enter the sculpture and sit on booths at once, so it is a new and fresh experience since all people climbing up the sculpture is participating at once.
Cost for entry: 8 euros for student
Address: Largo Isarco 2 20139 Milan
Exhibition opening dates: Monday-Sunday
Closed on Tuesday
Opening hours: Monday / Wednesday / Thursday, 10–19
Friday / Saturday / Sunday, 10–20
Located right next to Duomo, the must-see place in Milan, Museo Del Novecento is a must-go-sight if you’re planning to visit Duomo. You could walk to Museo Del Novecento in 20 seconds. Most importantly, the tickets are free two hours before closing the museum, and from 2p.m. every Tuesday, so it is a museum highly recommended to students.
Museo del Novecento has the collection of the Museum of the Twentieth Century, which is one of the most important collections of Italian art in the 20th century. This museum is well known as the museum which holds paintings of Kandinskij, Piet Mondrian, Modigliani, and Umberto Boccinoni. It really is a museum with so many must-see paintings, and sculptures so I highly recommend people to visit Museo Del Novecento! Also the view from 3rd floor of the museum is awesome. You could see Duomo from the window of the museum and it’s a best spot to take a picture of Duomo.
Cost for Entry: 5 euros
Exhibition opening dates & Opening hours:
Monday 14.30–19.30
Tuesday 9.30–19.30
Wednesday 9.30–19.30
Thursday 9.30–22.30
Friday 9.30–19.30
Saturday 9.30–22.30
Sunday 9.30–19.30
Last admission one hour before closing the museum. Ticket is free two hours before closing the museum and every Tuesday from 2 pm.
La Triennale di Milano is a renowned place for people who are studying art, design in Milan. Since La Triennale di Milano has diverse exhibitions going on from graphics, products, architects, arts, photography, cinema, theatre throughout whole year, it is highly recommended for everyone from young children to adults. La Triennale di Milano is not only famous for its exhibitions, but it is famous since there are many design conferences being held there, and serves as a main district of Italy’s design industry.
La Triennale is not just a museum, but it’s a multi-culture place where people could rest and hang out. The shops had tons of design, art, architect books, and Caffe with chairs that are renowned historically, garden where people could take a walk and rest, and the restaurant with a view. If you want to have a pleasant experience at an artistic place, La Triennale di Milano is the best place to visit!
Cost for Entry: 13 euro
Address: Palazzo della Triennale
Viale Alemagna,6–20121 Milano
Exhibition opening dates: Tuesday-Sunday
Opening hours: 10:30 am — 8:30 pm
Last admission one hour before closing time