The Pecci reloaded: iconic Nio’s hardware almost ready, but the software is still to be written

 

Prato’s major, Roberto Cenni, promises that the new addition to the “Centro per l’arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci” will open to the public next May. He also assures that it will soon become a dynamic force in the service of modern and contemporary art. We do hope so. In the meantime, when visiting the new building designed by Nio architects around the old structure – and costed 10 millions euros – we had a very good feeling. The new curved metallic shell is iconic, but it perfectly fits with the surroundings, while hiding the original decadent industrial building (from 1988). It will benefit from its location, that is in front of a huge roundabout perfectly visible to the people coming to Prato from the highway A11. Hence, from this point of view, the Pecci could turn out to be even more iconic for Prato than its recently refurbished Museo di Palazzo Pretorio, located in the city centre and thus not accessible by car.

 

However, it is known that an effective building is not enough to make a good museum, in Italy above all. A smarter software is requested too, with director, curators and supporters helping the institution to find its place in the highly competitive international art scene. Considering the poor design and contents of the current museum’s website it is going to be a very hard task, so we wish all the best to Mr. Cenni, to the Regione Toscana (which paid half of the restoration), and to the private bank foundation that supports the institution… now that the less is (almost) done. Furthermore, with Palazzo Pretorio and the Pecci, Prato – a typical Italian small city with a valuable historical heritage and a high developed textile industry – could really become a symbol, and a model, for an Italian renaissance after the crisis. A renaissance that starts from culture.

September 22, 2014