Michelangelo Pistoletto in Matera 2026
The works of Michelangelo Pistoletto for Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture
About Pistoletto in Matera
Pistoletto and the Mediterranean of Dialogue
Among the major protagonists of the program for Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026 is Michelangelo Pistoletto, a master of Arte Povera and a central figure in international contemporary art. For this occasion, the Municipality of Matera and the city's cultural institutions are hosting two projects that place the Mediterranean at the heart of a reflection on the encounter between cultures, peoples, and languages.
"Art as a Document of Dialogue"
At the SoutHeritage Foundation, housed in a 16th-century noble chapel in the Rioni Sassi, the exhibition "Art as a Document of Dialogue" takes shape. The project is conceived as a device for connection and reflection between art, society, and civic practice, centered around the "Declaration of Foundation of the Mediterranean Cultural Parliament," originally presented in Strasbourg in 2008 and reinterpreted in the contemporary context. The exhibition has a transnational dimension, also taking place simultaneously in Tétouan and at the Italian Cultural Institutes in Tirana, Tripoli, and Algiers.
"Love Difference: Mediterranean Sea"
In the evocative rock complex of Madonna delle Virtù and San Nicola dei Greci, in the Sassi, the installation "Love Difference: Mediterranean Sea" is set up: a large mirrored table (7.5 x 4.5 meters) shaped like the Mediterranean basin, surrounded by chairs and carpets from the countries bordering this sea. The work, curated by Mariadelaide Cuozzo from the University of Basilicata, functions as a relational device that invites confrontation, sharing, and the construction of new common perspectives. It is promoted by the Pistoletto Foundation – Cittadellarte.
Art spread throughout the Sassi
The two projects engage with the extraordinary setting of the Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and are accompanied by an extensive public program of meetings, discussions, and participatory practices, in full coherence with Matera 2026's intercultural vocation.
Pistoletto in Matera — edition 2026
In 2026, Michelangelo Pistoletto is among the big names in the program for Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. The exhibition "Art as a Document of Dialogue" opens on April 19 at the SoutHeritage Foundation and remains open until November 28, with a transnational dimension connecting it to Tétouan and the Italian Cultural Institutes in Tirana, Tripoli, and Algiers.
The installation "Love Difference: Mediterranean Sea", featuring the large mirrored table shaped like the Mediterranean basin, is inaugurated on May 7 in the rock complex of Madonna delle Virtù and San Nicola dei Greci and accompanies visitors until the closing of the Mediterranean year on November 28, 2026.
Programme Pistoletto in Matera 2026
The two projects can be visited throughout the year of the Mediterranean Capital, according to this schedule:
- "Art as a Document of Dialogue" (SoutHeritage Foundation): from April 19 to November 28, 2026, with a public program of meetings, discussions, and participatory practices;
- "Love Difference: Mediterranean Sea" (rock complex Madonna delle Virtù and San Nicola dei Greci): from May 7 to November 28, 2026, with collateral events curated by Mariadelaide Cuozzo (University of Basilicata).
Detailed hours and prices are published on the official channels of Matera 2026 and the involved foundations.
Highlights Pistoletto in Matera 2026
Prices Pistoletto in Matera 2026
Practical information — Pistoletto in Matera
Practical Information
Getting there: Matera is reachable by car via the SS99 from Altamura or the SS7 from Taranto; the FAL railway connects Matera to Bari. The nearest airport is Bari-Palese (approx. 65 km).
Tickets: the exhibition "Art as a Document of Dialogue" at the SoutHeritage Foundation includes a vestibule area accessible from the urban context; "Love Difference" in the rock complex requires a ticket. Check official channels for opening hours and prices.
Where to stay: Matera offers hotels, B&Bs, and charming accommodations within the Sassi.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Pistoletto in Matera
Fondazione SoutHeritage e complesso rupestre Madonna delle Virtù e San Nicola dei Greci