Palazzo delle Arti Napoli (PAN)

Palazzo delle Arti Napoli (PAN) review Rate it

PAN has no permanent collection, but instead describes itself as a 'centre for arts and documentation'. A fourth-floor archive has catalogues and pictures of contemporary art activity in Naples stretching back over the last few decades. There are regular exhibitions (often drawn from the collections of other Neapolitan galleries), as well as film screenings, book presentations, lectures, discussions and theatre events. More off-the-wall shows have included a selection of Lou Reed's snapshots of his home town (the opening of the event was priceless, with the singer of 'Heroin' and 'Venus in Furs' politely greeting the somewhat traditional mayor). As a slightly labyrinthine collection of small rooms, it's not a great exhibition space - and with its mixture of activities, there's a sense that PAN is still trying to discover its true calling. It's worth keeping an eye on, though, as interesting shows often crop up.