CulBeat Express
2017.07.03 20:56
MoMA 1968 오리지널 피아트 자동차 구입
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THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART ACQUIRES AN ORIGINAL-CONDITION 1968 FIAT 500
NEW YORK, July 3, 2017—The Museum of Modern Art has acquired an original model of the
Fiat 500F “Berlina,” commonly referred to as the Cinquecento. The most popular version of
the 500—which was in production from 1965 through 1972—the Berlina exemplifies a clear
expression of form following function, a logical and economical use of materials, and a belief
that quality design should be accessible to all. The development of inexpensive, reliable cars
like the Fiat 500 was instrumental in knitting together communities and nations and fostering
a feeling of freedom of movement throughout the postwar European continent. Through its
design and its centrality to the story of mid-century Italy, the 500 embodies many of the
principles that typified mid-century modernist design and connects it to themes explored in
works throughout the Museum’s collection.
“The Fiat 500 is an icon of automotive history that fundamentally altered car design and
production,” said Martino Stierli, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design
at MoMA. “Adding this unpretentious masterpiece to our collection will allow us to broaden
the story of automotive design as told by the Museum.”
“While the Fiat 500 has unquestionably left its mark on automotive history, it is equally true
that it has never been just a car,” said Olivier François, Head of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing
Officer, FCA Group. “In its 60 years of history, the 500 has transcended material
manifestation to enter the collective imagination and become an icon, which has now the
honor of being certified by being acquired by MoMA in a tribute to artistic and cultural value.”
Commonly referred to as the Cinquecento, the Nuova 500 was designed by designer and
engineer Dante Giacosa and launched in 1957. Giacosa, who joined Fiat in 1927, was
responsible for many of the most important designs to emerge from the automaker during his
43-year career, including the original 500 “Topolino” and the later 500 “Nuova.” A compact,
rear-engine city car, the 500 was conceived as an economical car for the masses. Despite its
small exterior dimensions, Giacosa’s design maximized interior volume, resulting in a
surprisingly spacious interior that could accommodate four passengers. The standard-feature
foldable fabric roof imbued this economy car with a sense of luxury while simultaneously
reducing the amount of steel—a precious commodity at the time—necessary for production of
the car. In 1965 it was slightly redesigned, resulting in the discontinuation of the rear-hinged
“suicide doors” that marked the earlier production. An original-condition model of this
version, the 500F Berlina, has entered into MoMA’s collection.
MoMA has a rich history of collecting and displaying automobiles, with seven cars already in
its collection, including a Cisitalia 202 GT Car (1946), a Jeep Truck: Utility 1/4 Ton 4 x 4
(M38A1) (1952), a Volkswagen Type 1 Sedan (1959), a Jaguar E-Type Roadster (1961), a
Ferrari Formula 1 Racing Car (641/2) (1990), a Smart Car “Smart & Pulse” Coupé (1998), and
a recently acquired Porsche 911 Coupé (1965). The Museum exhibited cars as early as 1951
and has since mounted eight exhibitions dedicated solely to automobiles, including 8
Automobiles (1951), Ten Automobiles (1953), The Racing Car: Toward A Rational Automobile
(1966), The Taxi Project: A Realistic Solution for Today (1976), Designed for Speed: Three
Automobiles by Ferrari (1993), Refining the Sports Car: Jaguar’s E-Type (1996), Different
Roads: Automobiles for the Next Century (1999), and AUTObodies: speed, sport, transport
(2002).
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles and
related parts and services, components and production systems worldwide through 162
manufacturing facilities, 87 R&D centers, and dealers and distributors in more than 140
countries.The Group’s automotive brands are: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat
Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Ram, SRT, Maserati and Mopar, the parts and service brand. The
Group’s businesses also include Comau (production systems), Magneti Marelli (components)
and Teksid (iron and castings). In addition, the Group provides retail and dealer finance,
leasing and rental services in support of the car business through subsidiaries, joint ventures
and commercial agreements with specialized financing services providers.
