Carmi Museum

When one thinks of Carrara, only one thing comes to mind: its marble. Quarried and used since Roman times, the white marble of Carrara is closely linked to the artistic sculptural tradition that characterizes the entire country. In fact, there is no artist in Italy who has not at least once worked with the material obtained from the Alps. During the Renaissance, one of the most emblematic artists linked to Carrara’s marble tradition was certainly Michelangelo (Caprese, 1475 – Rome, 1564). Known throughout the world for his breathtaking works, such as the Pieta preserved in the Vatican, Michelangelo is the greatest exponent of the tradition.

To celebrate the artist, in 2018 Carrara decided to establish CARMI – Museo Carrara e Michelangelo inside Villa Fabbricotti, located in Padula Park. The museum is dedicated to Michelangelo and his deep connection with Carrara marble, offering a space where history and art meet in order to tell the story of the cultural heritage that distinguishes the city. CARMI was thus created not only with the aim of enhancing the centuries-old tradition of marble, but also of exalting the figure of the artist and the value of the city itself. Inside, the space is divided into workshops, conference spaces, and permanent and temporary collections.

Focusing on the figure of Michelangelo, CARMI decided to dedicate the entire main floor of the museum, consisting of six thematic rooms, to him. In this itinerary, the exhibition tells the story of the relationship between the artist and the city of marble, which began in 1497 and ended in 1518 after a furious quarrel between the artist and Pope Leo X, who forced Michelangelo to move to Serravezza to start the new quarries of the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore.

For the permanent section there is in fact: The section dedicated to Michelangelo and the relationship with the City of Carrara and Marble, the section dedicated to film productions about Michelangelo shot in Carrara in 2017. The exhibition of contemporary environmental sculpture created on the occasion of the 11th Sculpture Biennial curated by Giuliano Gori, is also part of the museum’s permanent exhibition: Dani Karavan, Sol Lewitt, Mario Merz, Claudio Parmiggiani and Luigi Mainolfi, are some of the contemporary artists featured within this latest section.

The exhibition itinerary is designed to help the visitor understand the world of Michelangelo, marble, and the connection the material still maintains with the world of contemporary art and new technologies. Inside the halls, the CARMI visitor also has the opportunity to better understand the figure of the artist and his works through 1:1 scale reproductions of the Moses, innovative exhibits that include the use of new art technologies aimed at understanding the works, such as the hologram that can recreate the famous David, videos dedicated to the famous Pieta, photographs and historical documents.

In any case, the museum is not only dedicated to Michelangelo; the marble extracted from the quarries has continued to influence modern and contemporary artists as well. Within the exhibition itinerary, ample space is reserved for the artists of the 21st century, with the presentation of copies of their works. Mark Rothko, Le Corbusier, Jean Fabre with the two blow-ups of the Vatican Pieta are just some of the artists represented in the museum. The facismiles in fact testify to the enduring influence of Carrara marble on art, and give visitors a comprehensive overview ranging from Renaissance masters to contemporary artists.

The ground floor of the museum, on the other hand, is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, not necessarily related to Michelangelo. Far from the world of the artist, it is in fact possible to find within the floor, paths dedicated to the treasures of the Gipsoteca of the Academy of Fine Arts of Carrara; an in-depth section on the Villa and the Fabbricotti family, the Museum’s very home; and exhibitions dedicated to the artists who worked between Carrara and Rome in the 1800s.

Today, CARMI is more than just a museum: through workshops for young and old and lectures, the exhibition space aims to offer a broader geographical and historical understanding of the area and the artists who dealt with the city and its marble. There is no shortage of guided tours and educational activities aimed at schools and adult groups, with the goal of imparting knowledge, passion and greater awareness of ancient and modern art. CARMI strives to convey an interest in art in children from an early age, and seeks to create a lasting bond with cultural heritage.