Italian museum directors react to second COVID-19 lockdown closures
After Italy's DPCM on November 3, 2020, which mandated museum closures, various directors expressed their apprehensions. Cristiana Perrella from Centro per l'arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci condemned the emphasis on restaurants over cultural institutions. Fabio Roversi-Monaco of Genus Bononiae called the decision unfair, citing minimal contagion rates and potential economic repercussions. Lorenzo Giusti of GAMeC acknowledged the foreseeable risks and plans to persist with digital education. Bart van der Heide of Museion highlighted the significance of contemporary art and ongoing online projects. Luigi Fassi from MAN mentioned an international collaboration with Kiluanji Kia Henda and a retrospective of Lisetta Carmi. Luca Lo Pinto of MACRO is set to unveil eight exhibitions on December 3. Arturo Galansino of Palazzo Strozzi revealed a project by Marinella Senatore running from December 3 to February 7, 2021. Directors criticized the classification of culture as non-essential and strive to keep the public engaged digitally.
Key facts
- DPCM of November 3, 2020 ordered closure of museums and exhibitions nationwide
- Cristiana Perrella, director of Centro Pecci, called closure unsurprising but criticized government priorities
- Fabio Roversi-Monaco, president of Genus Bononiae, deemed measure unjust based on low contagion data
- Lorenzo Giusti of GAMeC Bergamo was prepared; museum continues Radio GAMeC and digital programs
- Bart van der Heide of Museion highlighted art's role in crisis and ongoing online initiatives
- Luigi Fassi of MAN Nuoro opened Kiluanji Kia Henda show in Lisbon on November 3; plans Lisetta Carmi retrospective for December 4
- Luca Lo Pinto of MACRO Rome suspends Phanos Kyriacou show but plans eight exhibitions for December 3
- Arturo Galansino of Palazzo Strozzi announces Marinella Senatore project 'We Rise by Lifting Others' from December 3, 2020 to February 7, 2021
- Alessandro Bollo of Polo del '900 implements digital training with Politecnico di Milano and book delivery service
- Directors criticize classification of culture as non-essential and emphasize digital engagement
Entities
Artists
- Cristiana Perrella
- Fabio Roversi-Monaco
- Lorenzo Giusti
- Bart van der Heide
- Luigi Fassi
- Luca Lo Pinto
- Arturo Galansino
- Alessandro Bollo
- Kiluanji Kia Henda
- Lisetta Carmi
- Phanos Kyriacou
- Marinella Senatore
- Timothy Morton
- Tomás Saraceno
- Ai Weiwei
- Margherita Villani
- Lorenzo Palmieri
- Luca Guadagnini
- Delfino Sisto Legnani
- Santa Nastro
Institutions
- Centro per l'arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci
- Genus Bononiae
- GAMeC Bergamo
- Museion
- MAN Nuoro
- MACRO Rome
- Palazzo Strozzi
- Polo del '900
- Galeria Municipais de Lisboa
- Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Lisbona
- Film Commission Sardegna
- Radio Popolare
- Politecnico di Milano
- Rete Italiana di Cultura Popolare
- Artribune
- Terraforma
Locations
- Italy
- Prato
- Bologna
- Bergamo
- Bolzano
- Nuoro
- Rome
- Florence
- Turin
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Sardinia
- Alto Adige