Contrasting Violence And Humanity: Letizia Battaglias Per Passione Retrospective At MAXXI Rome

Italian photographer Letizia Battaglia has been driven by passion, and not blinded by it. Because of her, we are able to view thousands of images documenting the atrocities imposed by the Mafia in her native Palermo. During this tumultuous period in Southern Italy, Battaglia recorded horrific crime scenes, received death threats because of this work, and in 1993 helped expose (through photographs searched by authorities) Mafia ties with the seven-time-elected Prime Minister, Giulio Andreotti. Per Pura Passione/Just for Passion is on view at the MAXXI (Museo Nazionale Delle Arti Del XXI Secolo) through April 17, 2017.

In a documentary made to introduce the MAXXI retrospective, Giovanna Melandri, President of Fondazione Maxxi, states: “Her pictures teach us not to turn off the freedom in our eyes.”

Day of the dead festival. Children playing with arms, Palermo, 1986

Ilona Staller, widely known as porn-star Cicciolina, in her house in Rome, 1994

Via Pindemonte, Psychiatric Hospital. Palermo, 1983

Film-maker Pier Paolo Pasolini at Turati circle

The exhibition is divided into two areas providing a look across Battaglia’s expansive career, which includes publishing, theater, politics and a series of photos taken in 1983 at the psychiatric hospital in Via Pindemonte, Palermo. Other works exclusively released from Battaglia’s archives for this exhibition are photos of film-maker Pier Paolo Pasolini and Italian actress Franca Rame.

Exhibition of Battaglia’s Per Pura Passione at the MAXXI

The exhibition area provides plenty of space to watch the films, examine contact sheets, and walk slowly among a series of large black-and-white prints hung from the ceiling in a gymnasium-size space. This presentation is grand, yet intimate; works are separated with enough space in between to allow for individual contemplation.

Exterior view of MAXXI designed by world-renowned architect, Zaha Hadid

Located in the Flaminio quartiere and launched in 2010, MAXXI is an impressive museum that is well worth a trip away from Rome’s busy, tourist hub. The winning design was by architect Zaha Hadid, whose proposal was selected among 273 applicants. The museum is dedicated to both contemporary art and architecture, with special emphasis on supporting young, Italian artists. The permanent collection includes works by international artists Anish Kapoor, Anselm Kiefer and William Kentridge. The MAXXI’s permanent collection is free to visitors from Tuesday to Friday and every first Sunday of the month.
MAXXi, Via Guido Reni, 4/A, 00196 Rome

Hours: Tue-Wed-Thur-Fri-Sun 11am to 7pm, Sat 11am to 10pm (closed Monday)

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