Street art is one of the most appreciated forms of art in recent years. It is certainly not the classic Leonardo Da Vinci-style painting, but there is a lot more behind what could seem like a simple mural. There is a willingness to express emotions and the need to express them on a space bigger than a canvas, a real wall. MURo (which in Italian means “wall”), is the name of the open-air Museum of Urban Art of Rome.
Created in 2010 thanks to the artist David Diavù Vecchiato, MURo is the first museum integrated into the social fabric that resembles the form of art it promotes: street art.
The collection, mainly composed of murals, began in the areas of Quadraro and Torpignattara and then spread all over Rome. There are dozens of works of art realized by important contemporary artists from all over the world.
The guidelines adopted by the museum are that the murals be site-specific and community-specific so that artists can interact with the local community where the projects will be realized. In most cases, in fact, artists consult with residents before starting their work.
The goal set about ten years ago is to transform some areas of Rome so that the past and the identity of the neighborhoods that host the murals can be shown.
Being an “open-air museum”, it can be visited for free. In fact, on the website, you can find some maps indicating the position of the various mural.
Alternatively, you could join one of the many tours organized by MURo. The competent guides of the museum will present the murals and the characteristics of the area where they are located.
It’s the perfect alternative to an indoor museum.
How to get to MURo
By metro: metro A – Porta Furba Quadraro stop – in the direction of Anagnina.
By car: enter the Grande Raccordo Anulare (Rome Ring Road) in Appia direction – take the exit 21 “Tuscolano” – pass Cinecittà – enter via dei Lentuli – park before the rise that leads to the waterworks.
Tour Info
MURo offers different types of tours, on foot or also by bike.
The costs vary depending on the type of tour you choose, so please check the official website.
Copyright photos: muromuseum.blogspot.it (1 e 5); www.graart.it; www.italiani.net; fotografiaerrante.files.wordpress.com