Prada's relationship with art began in 1993 with the founding of the Prada Milano Arte organization, expanding its activities to form a foundation in 1995. In 2011, a new exhibition space, Ca' Corner della Regina, was established in Venice for a six-year period. It has become a popular destination for art professionals attending the Venice Biennale as well as many tourists.

The long-awaited art complex finally opened on May 9, 2015. Located in Largo Isarco in southern Milan, the facility was designed by OMA, the architectural firm led by Rem Koolhas, who also designed Prada stores. The original distillery building was preserved while new additions were made, creating a place where old and new intersect.

The first thing that catches your eye upon entering the site is a golden pavilion covered in layers of gold leaf, reminiscent of the giant gilded Buddha statues in Southeast Asia. The building in front of it houses Bar Luce, overseen by film director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel), who also produced Prada's promotional videos. Bar Luce is a cafe recreating Italian midcentury modern, attracting attention for its sweets from Marchesi, the long-established pastry shop Prada acquired this year. The approximately 19,000-square-meter site is divided into 10 buildings, including the south wing, reportedly curated by Miuccia herself, where visitors can enjoy permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, and cinemas. While our visit was brief, if you have the time, you could easily spend a whole day enjoying the museum. Guides are available to explain the artworks on display. While there is a fee on weekdays, they are free to guide small groups on weekends. Guides are available only in Italian and English, but Japanese and Chinese may be added in the future.

This facility is the result of years of discussions and planning about art between Miuccia Prada and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, who head the Prada Foundation, and has created a truly intimate space. Moreover, the space is clearly different from the many art museums I've visited; it exudes the same sensibility as the fashion Miuccia creates. While there are museums run by corporate foundations such as Suntory and Bridgestone in Japan, these continue to exist as part of corporate patronage rather than as a reflection of the ideas and sensibilities of their corporate leaders. Making cultural contributions to society is a testament to the high quality of a company. However, perhaps the greatest appeal of the Prada Foundation lies not so much in its sense of cultural contribution, but in its "sense," which exudes the hobbies and pastimes of Miuccia and Patrizio.

Completion of this art complex is still in the early stages. When I visited, the building known as the "Tower" was under construction. The first room on the south side of the building, which depicts the history of the Prada Foundation, begins as a small room displaying a single work representing a very private collection. As the rooms grow larger, they take on the role of artworks for the Prada Foundation and become more public. In the final room, which is about the size of a small gymnasium, a runway show featuring Giacometti wearing Prada clothes is taking place. On the other side of this room, separated by a vinyl curtain, construction work is underway. There is probably no other art facility in the world as stylish as this, where such a situation feels like part of the art. Why not visit before the "Tower" is completed?


■Information
Fondazione Prada - Milano
Address: Largo Isarco 2 20139 Milano
TEL: +39 02 5666 2611