APCOM

A mix between Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvio's man and the genius of one of the great visionaries of contemporary architecture. The new museum of contemporary art of Milano is born under Vinci's light. It was projected by Daniel Libeskind who together with Mayor Letizia Moratti and town councillor for culture Vittorio Sgrabi presented the museum at the Triennale of Milano. The museum that will be built in the area of Citylife in the ex "Fiera", will have a structure that will unite both the round and circular form that will develop on five floors, of which one is underground, and will culminate on a roof garden.

Libeskind is a very well known architect who built both the Hebrew Museum of Berlin, and even if facing many difficulties, is the father of the master plan for the reconstruction of Ground Zero in New York. He said he was very enthusiastic of this project.

In particular, Libeskind wanted to underline his link to Leonardo Da Vinci, who with his study on human proportions put "the man at the centre of the world. From the latter, Libeskind said he "took the forms of the square and the circle" and then created "twists and turns of the different shapes that show the essence of the presence of the contemporary man". The architect insisted on the link between his project and the environment, together with "fluidity of relationships between the building and daily life". Furthermore Libeskind expressed his liking for the city of Milano, which he defined "the best city for architecture".

He added that he imagined a museum which "was accessible to the public, linked together with the idea of Milano that has an architecture which crosses centuries". The museum will also have thermal baths, which were inspired by the fact that Milano has a strong link to water, which in fact goes through the entire city. He insisted on the concept of "fluidity" of the structure, "which wanted to contribute to the beauty of Milano, with a new interpretation of model designed by Leonardo Da Vinci". He also inspired the choice of material for the facade of the museum: the choice of the marble of Candoglia which distinguishes the Milano Duomo.

Mayor Moratti, who was visibly satisfied, spoke of the museum as "a place of aggregation, a new project which interacts with the entire city" and underlined with force the desire to begin with the construction as soon as possible". Answering to Sgarbi's scepticism, she added, that she is also committed to meet the deadline for the conclusion of the work. "The challenge of the opening- the Mayor said- will be won in 2011". For what regards the costs, the Mayor said that the amount is around 40million Euro, 20 million more than what they thought at the beginning of City Life. The difference has already been approved she said. Moratti together with Sgarbi and the president of the Triennale, Rampello, underlined the importance of a close link between the new museum and Milanese collectors, and Libeskind unique project. "This museum - Moratti added - is coherent with the characteristics of our city, it could not have been in any other country. On this last point, Rampello also intervened adding with half a voice, letting the fact of global uniqueness of the Milanese project slip out.

The president of the Triennale also put emphasis on the concept of display areas that will be applied to the new museum: every area of the museum will in fact be dedicated to artistic activities, be it expositions or works or performances. "All of this with the end result "of continuously registering a contemporary mood, giving a central role both to the artist and visitor. With this interactive take, the museum will also count artist ateliers which allow visitors to enter in direct relationship with the work of the artists. Like Libeskind said, the museum of contemporary art of Milano doesn't want to "be simply a building, but something nice and interesting for the city even before entering the structure".

On the day of the presentation of Daniel Libeskind's project, the Province of Milano, however expressed the idea of building the museum in the area of the ex Falck of Sesto San the Giovanni, made by Renzo Piano. Daniela Benello, town councillor for culture of Palazzo Isimbardi, said that the Province has not changed their mind on the project of the Genovese architect. "I wouldn't want that after twenty years the two locations were put in conflict ending up with none of the two", commented Filippo Penati, head of the Province. Sgarbi also appeared as being a believer of the San Giovanni option but at the presentation he showed his full approval on the American architect's idea. In particular, Sgarbi, underlined the cultural sense of the operation, which positions itself in respect to contemporary art with "aut aut"which tend to exclude, but with "et et" which point towards the inclusion of diverse forms and manifestations of art. For councillor for culture, the problem of meeting the time deadline still remains. But on this point, both Mayor Moratti and councillor Masseroli bet they would make it in time before the end of their mandate.