The Large Glass is the title of the exhibition curated by the American artist Alex Da Corte (Philadelphia, 1980), which - open to the public on December 13, 2024 - inaugurates a new perspective in the exhibition program of MAXXI, aimed at involving artists and intellectuals to reinterpret the museum's collections.

The project combines works by modern and contemporary artists and stands out for its ability to propose a narrative intertwining in which the traditional concept of presenting a museum collection merges with a new and dynamic vision of the exhibition.

Visitors are thus invited to reflect on the dynamics of alteration and change through a selection of works from the MAXXI museum's heritage, including paintings, installations, photographs, and architectural works. Here, the works of great masters interact with those of young contemporary authors, giving life to an unprecedented choral narrative enriched by the author's personal and conceptual vision.

The exhibition of the MAXXI Collection, The Large Glass, set up in Gallery 4 of the museum, presents itself as a journey that celebrates the perpetual exchange and dialogue between artworks and the artists who conceived them. Among the protagonists of the exhibition stand out names of internationally renowned artists, with works selected for their ability to tell universal stories through their personal perspectives. Among these, in addition to Modena by Luigi Ghirri, we find The Globe by Atelier Van Lieshout, a representation of our planet that invites reflection on changing boundaries and contrasting visions of the Earth. The journey continues with Mixing Parfums by Massimo Bartolini, an installation that stimulates the senses and imagination through a revolving door that diffuses natural fragrances in the air, such as the delicate scent of jasmine and the intense essence of the earth. It continues with works like Mappa by Alighiero Boetti, which represents the world through a unique visual language, and White Bed by Domenico Gnoli, an artist capable of exalting everyday details to transform them into universal symbols. For the Benefit of All the Races of Mankind by Kara Walker is a powerful work that reveals, through strong and incisive images, the painful history of racism. Fire Tires by Gal Weinstein, shown for the first time at MAXXI, evokes a suspended moment of violence, where the materials used suggest a molecular transformation, a symbol of change. The journey continues with other emblematic works, including Untitled (Redemption) by Francis Alÿs, Senza titolo by Marisa Merz, and Sculture di linfa by Giuseppe Penone, among the most significant protagonists of the Arte Povera movement. Further enriching the exhibition narrative are the works of Wolf Kahlen, with Trespassing and Light Loss, and Preparing the Flute by William Kentridge. The exhibition path then extends to architectural projects, including Bivacco Fanton by the DEMOGO studio and The Lantern by the AWP studio, which not only reflect on the evolution of urban space but intertwine with a broader reflection on identity and the relationship between construction and nature. Finally, contemporary photography completes the path with works that explore unstable forms, such as those captured by Stefano Cerio and the delicate and experimental images of Rachele Maistrello. The works interact with the structure of MAXXI itself, whose fluid and dynamic language provides a perfect framework to host an exhibition that celebrates the continuous transformation of contemporary art.