Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, recognized as one of Europe's most prominent art collectors, has announced a new collaboration with New York's New Museum for an upcoming series of commissioned artworks. The partnership will launch with a project by Diego Marcon, an Italian artist renowned for his distinctive and unsettling video installations.
The timing of this collaboration coincides with the New Museum's major renovation and expansion project, which is scheduled to conclude this fall. The museum closed its doors last spring to begin construction on a seven-story annex that will be added to its existing building on Manhattan's Bowery. While the museum has confirmed it will reopen this fall, officials have not yet announced a specific opening date for the expanded facility.
Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, who operates a Turin-based foundation bearing her name and consistently ranks on ARTnews's annual Top 200 Collectors list, emphasized her commitment to institutional partnerships. "Collaborating with other institutions has always been a characteristic of my foundation," she told the Art Newspaper, which first broke the story. Her role extends beyond this project, as she serves as a member of the New Museum's International Leadership Council, an exclusive group of international funders who are invited to support various projects at the institution.
The commissioned work by Diego Marcon, titled "Krapfen," represents a multi-institutional effort that demonstrates the global nature of contemporary art collaboration. The project has been co-commissioned by several prestigious organizations, including Chicago's Renaissance Society, Paris's Lafayette Anticipations, and the Vega Foundation, which is operated by Canadian collector Elisa Nuyten. This collaborative approach ensures the work will reach diverse audiences across multiple continents.
"Krapfen" is set to make its debut this week at the Renaissance Society in Chicago, where it is being promoted as "a musical dance film and an encounter between the golden age of American animation and Italian opera." This description suggests Marcon has created a cross-cultural work that bridges different artistic traditions and media forms. However, the New Museum has not yet included the work's New York run in its publicly available schedule.
When the New Museum reopens following its expansion, visitors will be greeted with an ambitious programming slate that reflects the institution's commitment to contemporary art. The centerpiece will be "New Humans: Memories of the Future," described as a comprehensive exhibition focusing on body-oriented art. Additionally, the museum will present new commissions by several notable contemporary artists, including Klara Hosnedlová, Sarah Lucas, and Tschabalala Self, creating a diverse showcase of current artistic practices and perspectives.
