The New Museum in Manhattan has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italy's Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo for the "New Futures" project, an ambitious initiative focused on commissioning and exhibiting new works by international artists. The first artist selected for this collaboration is Diego Marcon, an Italian artist who gained significant recognition at the 2022 Venice Biennale with his compelling video work "The Parents Room" (2021).
Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, the founder of Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, emphasized the natural alignment between the two institutions. "Collaborating with other institutions has always been a characteristic of my foundation," she explained. "Commissioning for us is important but it's not only about financing, [it is about] realizing the works and obviously showing them. When the idea of developing a joint project arose, it felt like a natural and fantastic opportunity to really align with the vision of my foundation, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year."
The collaboration will showcase Marcon's newly commissioned work through a strategic exhibition schedule. His piece will first be presented in a solo exhibition at the New Museum next year, followed by a showing at the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Turin. The partnership extends beyond just exhibition space, with the Turin opera orchestra contributing to the soundtrack of Marcon's film work, further strengthening the artistic collaboration between the institutions.
Sandretto Re Rebaudengo reflected on the evolving role of art patronage in contemporary culture. "Art patrons were important 30 years ago and they're important now. When I established the foundation in 1995, there were not so many private foundations collectors today understand that their role is obviously to buy work, but also to be much more involved in the commissioning of new productions," she noted. She expressed particular enthusiasm for Marcon's film work, stating, "Our first collaboration is a film work [by Marcon] that I really love because this was the first medium that I discovered when I started collecting."
Massimiliano Gioni, the artistic director at the New Museum, highlighted the practical importance of the partnership for the institution's mission. "[Patrizia's] support and this partnership enables artists to make new works—that is the purpose of this collaboration because the New Museum is a non-collecting institution," he explained. Sandretto Re Rebaudengo's involvement with the museum extends beyond this project, as she serves as a member of the museum's International Leadership Council, a prestigious group of global supporters and friends.
The timing of this collaboration coincides with a major expansion phase for the New Museum. The institution is currently doubling its exhibition space through a seven-story expansion project at its Lower East Side location. The impressive 60,000-square-foot addition, designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas and OMA's Shohei Shigematsu, will feature dedicated spaces for public programming and artist residencies, though an official opening date has yet to be announced.
Gioni provided details about how the new space will enhance the visitor experience and accommodate future exhibitions. "When you're inside the new building it feels like one space, particularly in the exhibition spaces—they're connected on every floor. Specifically, Diego's show will be in what we refer to as the south building, which is the OMA building," he explained.
Looking ahead, both institutions have committed to expanding their partnership beyond this initial project. "The New Futures initiative will continue. It's a recurring, multi-year partnership. There is maximum flexibility regarding the medium or size, as such, of the commissions," Gioni confirmed. Meanwhile, Sandretto Re Rebaudengo is simultaneously developing other innovative projects, including plans to launch an art and ecology hub on the island of San Giacomo in Venice next year, demonstrating her continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary art presentation and environmental consciousness.
