The MAN - Museum of Art of Nuoro 0 Comments

The MAN - Museum of Art of Nuoro is one of Sardinia’s most precious cultural treasures, renowned for its ability to connect local and international art in a unique dialogue. Located in the heart of Nuoro, a city celebrated for its cultural history and as the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning writer Grazia Deledda, the MAN is a must-visit destination for anyone wishing to explore the artistic soul of the island. In 2025, the museum continues to stand out for the quality of its exhibitions, its focus on emerging artistic trends, and its commitment to promoting Sardinia’s cultural heritage.

Founded in 1999, the MAN has evolved into a key reference point not only for Sardinia but also for the Italian and European art scene. The museum's mission is twofold: To enhance Sardinian artistic heritage and to Promote Contemporary Art on a broader scale. Its permanent collection includes over 600 works, focusing on modern and contemporary art. Among its most notable artists are:

• Francesco Ciusa: Considered the father of modern Sardinian sculpture.

• Costantino Nivola: Renowned for his works, which were inspired by the relationship between humans and the environment.

• Maria Lai: An icon of contemporary Sardinian art, celebrated for her innovative use of threads, fabrics, and symbols rooted in tradition.

In 2025, the MAN reaffirms its status as a leading cultural institution in Sardinia, offering a program filled with retrospective exhibitions, thematic events, and international collaborations. Highlights include:

1. Temporary Exhibitions

• "Beyond the Myth: Art and Identity in Sardinia"
  This retrospective explores how Sardinian artists have interpreted and redefined their cultural identity across generations. The exhibition features creations by historical figures alongside installations by emerging creatives who reinterpret themes such as tradition, migration, and landscape.

• "Art and the Environment: The Mediterranean as Muse"
  An exhibition reflecting on the Mediterranean's influence on artistic creation, particularly on contemporary art and sustainability.

2. International Collaborations, hosting works from prominent European art institutions, further cementing its role as a cultural bridge between Sardinia and the world.

3. Educational and Interactive Projects of Workshops and Labs designed for children, adults, and schools, these initiatives aim to engage the public with art interactively, as well as Multimedia Guided Tours, offering immersive experiences using augmented reality technology.

A peculiarity of the 2025 program is the ritual of "The Bread of Desires", led by MAN curator Elisabetta Masala during September and October. This ritual involves creating symbolic breads shaped to represent the desires of the individuals who crafted them over time. Each bread embodies a wish, a story, or an imagined reality, symbolizing the Mediterranean's ancient culture and the communities that built deep connections around bread. The curator will propose a bread workshop involving the inhabitants in a transformation auspicious ritual where she will burn a hundred "Bread of Desires". A communal ceremony involving a collective moment linked to fire touches upon the magical and archaic dimensions of life cycles and nature.

Nuoro, with its rich history and deep connection to Sardinian culture, provides the ideal setting for the MAN, the perfect destination for cultural tourism enthusiasts. The museum seamlessly integrates into the city’s urban fabric, becoming a key reference point for both locals and tourists.

"Art is the bridge that connects the soul of an island to the rest of the world, and MAN is the guardian of this connection." (Cit.)

Written by Daniela Toti