It’s MAXXI Gala Time: The Elite of International Art and Culture Take Centre Stage in Rome
It’s one of the most anticipated events of the season, arguably the most important one in Rome. Thanks to the MAXXI Gala, the National Museum of 21st Century Arts gets the necessary funds to preserve and broaden its national collections of contemporary art, architecture, and design. With its signature touch of glamour, the institution’s annual fundraising event has established itself as one of the most magical Roman evenings you could think of. Last night, the spaces designed by Zaha Hadid welcomed nearly five hundred guests, including patrons, partners, cultural figures, and stars of the Italian and international entertainment scene. They were welcomed by Acting Councillor Emanuela Bruni, Artistic Director Francesco Stocchi, and directors Lorenza Baroncelli and Monia Trombetta. We as Say Who were there and met, among others, Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, Maria Grazia Chiuri (Creative Director of Dior), Massimo Giorgetti (Founder and Creative Director of MSGM), actress Ambra Angiolini, stunning in a spectacular total black look, pop entrepreneur Stefano Seletti, artists Rick Lowe, Nacho Carbonell, and Rolf Sachs, President of the Italian National Chamber of Fashion Carlo Capasa, curator Francesco Bonami, Artistic Director of MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome – Luca Lo Pinto, writer Nicola Lagioia, actress Stefania Rocca, and President of Amici del MAXXI, Adriana Batan Rocca. A blend of charm and purpose, the evening began with a cocktail reception and continued with an ultra-exclusive gala dinner, enhanced by a musical performance by Roman singer-songwriter Ditonellapiaga.
During the evening, guests also had the opportunity to preview the exhibition Memorabile. Ipermoda., organized in collaboration with the Italian National Chamber of Fashion and backed by the Bvlgari Foundation. Curated by Maria Luisa Frisa, the exhibition explores the role of fashion from 2015 to today, revealing its oscillations between creativity and finance, the increasing presence of sophisticated technologies, and craftsmanship, all while showcasing both key players and supporting figures. In short, it was a spectacle within a spectacle.
Photos: Niccolò Campita
Text: Germano D’Acquisto
