Prada’s interest in contemporary art first emerged in 1993 and led to the creation of Prada Milano Arte, a gallery space located in the Porta Vittoria part of town in a listed ex-industrial building. Their programme began with two exhibitions, of Eliseo Mattiacci and Nino Franchina. In 1995 the Fondazione was created and the gallery space extended to 1,000 square metres; it then played host to “David Smith in Italy” and Anish Kapoor, the latter’s first show in Italy since his participation in the 1990 Venice Biennale.
This month the Fondazione is mounting a show of Michael Heizer; last June a one-man show of Louise Bourgeois consisted of a single vast installation.
Signora Muccia Prada told The Art Newspaper that the firm was really motivated by the desire for direct contact with the artists and their work.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Contact with artists desirable'
