There is something unreal about stepping onto the grounds of Fondazione Prada in Milan.
Perhaps it is the location. Set in an unassuming suburb, the beautiful architecture is at odds with its surroundings.
And when you paint an entire building shimmering gold? Well, that is pretty hard to ignore against Milan’s gray skies.
Fondazione Prada is not new.
The foundation, which is co-chaired by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, has been dedicated to supporting contemporary art since 1995.
However, the gorgeous museum at Largo Isarco IS fairly new. The permanent facility opened in May 2015.
Fondazione Prada is a bit of a maze – but half the fun is about exploring from room to room and building to building.
There is no detail left to chance.
The temporary exhibits seem built for the space.
In November, I saw the William N. Copley show, which spanned over multiple rooms.
The museum hosts an ever-changing line up of impressive contemporary artists.
(And I should note that this is NOT a fashion museum despite its association with the Prada name. It is very much about art that pushes boundaries).
Fondazione Prada Mission
One of the things that I really love about the Foundation is its mission.
Fondazione Prada is about ideas. Specifically:
Our main interest is ideas, and the ways in which mankind has transformed ideas into specific disciplines and cultural products: literature, cinema, music, philosophy, art and science.
What a cool way of approaching the artist experience as a whole.
The golden building is home to the permanent installation.
I find installation art to be a bit hit or miss, but I loved wandering through the narrow halls to uncover what lie on the next floor.
Each show was truly distinct from the other.
It was almost like visiting 5 galleries instead of a single museum.
Even the staircases feel more like art than function.
The fondazione found its home in a former distillery, which has been reclaimed and restored into a contemporary space that pays homage to its industrial past.
The collection is intriguing, the architecture is unforgettable, and the coffee? Perfection.
I don’t try to hide my love of Bar Luce.
The Wes Andersen designed bar sits next to the library, before you walk through the main Fondazione Prada entrance.
My only regret is that I didn’t have more time to spend in the collections, or at the bar.
I underestimated how long it would take me to arrive via public transportation. The nearest metro stop is still a 15 minute walk from Largo Isarco so plan your time accordingly!
Fondazione Prada
Largo Isarco, 2
20139 Milan
+39 02 5666 2611
Sun / Mon / Wed / Thu, 10 am – 7 pm
Fri / Sat, 10 am – 8 pm
Closed on Tuesdays.
When I visited in late 2016, tickets were €10.
