person Livia Montagnoli

Restoration of L’Aquila’s Teatro San Filippo, Damaged by Earthquake, Concludes After 17-Year Closure

Si conclude all’Aquila il recupero del Teatro San Filippo danneggiato dal terremoto. Era chiuso da 17 anni

The Teatro San Filippo in L’Aquila has officially completed a comprehensive restoration process after being shuttered for 17 years due to the devastating 2009 earthquake. The reopening ceremony, attended by Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, marks the return of a historic site that originated as a 17th-century Baroque church before being converted into a theater and artistic hub in the 1970s. The project was funded through a combination of state resources and private donations, including significant contributions from the "Artisti Uniti per l’Abruzzo" initiative.

Riyadh continues to bet big on public art: over 100 new works to be installed in the Saudi capital in the coming years

Riyadh continua a scommettere forte sull’arte pubblica: nei prossimi anni oltre 100 nuove opere installate nella capitale saudita

Saudi Arabia is significantly expanding its Riyadh Art public art initiative, with plans to install over 100 new monumental works across the capital city in the coming years. Following the recent Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 event, which added 25 stone and metal sculptures to the permanent collection, the city has announced 12 new site-specific installations by high-profile international artists including Anselm Kiefer, El Anatsui, and Manal AlDowayan. The project aims to reach a total of 115 new commissions, building upon a collection that already features masters like Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, and Giuseppe Penone.

In Verona, the Palazzo Maffei Museum opens a new multifunctional space by reclaiming an ancient chapel

A Verona il museo di Palazzo Maffei apre un nuovo spazio polifunzionale recuperando un’antica cappella

Palazzo Maffei House Museum in Verona has inaugurated a new multifunctional space called "Il Monastero," following the restoration of an ancient chapel located behind the main palace. Inspired by a memory of seeing Miquel Barceló’s work in a deconsecrated Sicilian church, director Vanessa Carlon spearheaded the project to create a contemplative, intimate environment for exhibitions and educational activities. The restoration uncovered original frescoes, vaults, and columns, breathing new life into a previously neglected corner of the city's historic center.

Damien Hirst's studio has been recreated in Seoul for a major exhibition dedicated to him (including the original floor)

Lo studio del celebre artista Damien Hirst è stato ricreato a Seoul per una grande mostra a lui dedicata (c’è pure il pavimento originale)

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul has launched "Nothing Is True But Everything Is Possible," the largest retrospective of Damien Hirst’s work ever held in Asia. Spanning 35 years of his career, the exhibition features over 50 iconic works, including his formaldehyde-preserved animals, diamond-encrusted skull, and a recreation of his Pharmacy Restaurant. A unique highlight is the meticulous reconstruction of Hirst’s London studio, complete with the original paint-stained floor transported to South Korea and 30 previously unseen unfinished canvases from his new "River" series.

The New Victoria & Albert Museum Opens in April: Once Again in East London

Ad aprile inaugura il nuovo museo del Victoria&Albert. Ancora una volta nell’East London

The Victoria & Albert Museum has announced the official opening date for the V&A East Museum, a new five-story cultural landmark in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Designed by architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, the museum will debut on April 18, 2026, featuring two permanent galleries titled "Why We Make" that showcase over 500 objects ranging from Renaissance paintings to contemporary fashion by Vivienne Westwood. The entrance will be anchored by a monumental bronze sculpture by Thomas J Price, marking the start of a robust contemporary commission program.