Where Art Meets Everyday Life

Exploring the Museo d'Arte Urbana (MAU) in Borgo Campidoglio, Turin - Italy

I’ve always been fascinated by visiting the places associated with the Museo d'Arte Urbana (MAU) in Turin, in Italy. This time, I returned to the charming Borgo Vecchio Campidoglio, and as always, the experience was both immersive and thought-provoking. The MAU, Italy's first open-air contemporary art museum, is a testament to the power of art to transform urban spaces and build community.

A Living, Breathing Museum Without Walls

Borgo Campidoglio, born in 1853 as a working-class district, is now a unique neighborhood with its original structure of low houses and narrow, winding streets still intact. This preserved architecture forms a distinctive backdrop for the MAU, which was inaugurated in 1995 following a revitalization project aimed at reshaping the area through art. Walking through these streets feels like stepping into a vibrant conversation between the past and the present.

Art and Community: Hand in Hand

The beauty of the MAU lies in how it integrates into the life of Borgo Campidoglio. Unlike typical museums with fixed walls, this museum breathes and evolves alongside the neighborhood. Over 200 murals adorn the facades of buildings, merging seamlessly with the neighborhood's life. Residents, artists, and local businesses collaborate to bring this art to life, transforming ordinary buildings into a canvas for creativity.

For instance, Vito Navolio's homage to Piet Mondrian is visible on benches in Piazza Moncenisio, capturing Mondrian's style with a playful twist. Nearby, murals like Opiemme's tribute to Stephen Hawking, completed in 2018, connect science and creativity.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

The inclusiveness of the MAU is noteworthy. Since 2016, in collaboration with the Volonwrite association, specific itineraries ensure accessibility for people with mobility challenges. Guided tours cater to people with reduced mobility, visual impairments, or hearing disabilities, emphasizing the role of art in community cohesion.

The Campidoglio Gallery: Art Continues Indoors

Located on Via Rocciamelone, the Galleria del MAU is an indoor space for temporary exhibitions and community events, managed by Giulia Fanelli. It reflects the MAU as a cultural focal point, connecting the neighborhood's history with contemporary art.

Art, Wine, and Tradition

Immersing in the local tradition is essential at the MAU, where the enoteche (wine bars) and piole (traditional eateries) complete the artistic experience. Offering Piedmontese delicacies and local wines, these spots blend art, life, and Turin’s rich culinary heritage.

Location

The headquarters of the MAU is in Via Musinè, 19. Murals and artworks are distributed across Via Fabrizi, Corso Svizzera, Via Cibrario, and Corso Tassoni, with display cases along Via Fabrizi. This open-air collection comprises 66 murals and 35 display cases throughout Borgo Campidoglio.

Why Visit the MAU?

The MAU is more than an art destination—it’s a place where boundaries between the museum, the community, and the artist dissolve. In Borgo Campidoglio’s winding streets, every passerby becomes part of the artwork. To anyone visiting Turin, the MAU is a reminder that art thrives beyond gallery walls, woven into the fabric of everyday life.