The segno magazine archive at MAXXI: 50 years of contemporary art

The segno magazine archive at MAXXI

From 1 April to 18 October 2026 the Carlo Scarpa Foyer at MAXXI in Rome hosts a focused exhibition dedicated to the historical archive of segno magazine. The presentation gathers editorial material, notes and documents that map the development of national and international contemporary art from the magazine's first issue in 1976 to recent editions.

Location: MAXXI - National Museum of 21st Century Arts, Via Guido Reni 4a, Rome. Preview: 1 April 2026, 18:30 (by invitation).

• Exhibited material: archival issues, correspondence, editorial notes and previously unseen documents.
• Exhibition aim: a critical reappraisal of fifty years of art discourse, highlighting practices, languages and institutional shifts.
• Curator: Paolo Balmas; the archive was acquired by MAXXI's Art Archives Center.
• Related events: three public talks with authors and critics who contributed to the magazine's history.
• Research access: public consultation of the segno fonds is available at the museum archive for study and research.

The curated selection highlights editorial strategies and the trajectory of a magazine born from the initiative of young founders and enriched over time by many contributors. The documents on display provide keys to read the transformations in artistic languages and critical practices across decades.

For practical details and event dates, consult MAXXI's program page to confirm schedules and archive consultation procedures.