Author Description

Since 1986, the MLAC Museum of Contemporary Art Lab, situated inside the Sapienza University of Rome represents a reference and meeting point among artists, art historians, curators and students. With more than 300 events over the last decade, the MLAC is among the most interesting on the international scene for its museum and educational format intended to assert the centrality of the direct relationship with the artist and the work of art. As defined by Simonetta Lux who created and guided it during these years, the MLAC is a relational micro-territory ahead of its time and unique for its ability to combine education, scientific research, historical-critical and artistic creation processes. At the MLAC, an exhibition was never just a show: interactive lessons, meetings with artists, roundtables, publications and reportages have systematically enhanced the exhibition period by helping to shed light on the complex and difficult artistical creation and critical action processes. Through the essays of those who designed and administered it, and through those trained as curators and art historians, this book outlines the history, project and format of its first phases and activity centres (1986-2000), with a focus on the last 12 years, chronicled through a fully illustrated critical, thematic and chronological repertoire: the MLAC Index 2000-2012.