Italian Museums Launch Online Programs During Quasi-Lockdown

During Italy's quasi-lockdown, several cultural institutions have launched digital initiatives to foster community and reflection. Hangar Bicocca in Milan, Macro in Rome, TREVILAB in Bolzano, and Metronom Books are hosting online events. At Macro, the festival "Il Pianeta come Festival" (named after Ettore Sottsass's 1972 project) runs from October 29-30, featuring philosopher Timothy Morton's lecture "Lockdown is Reopening, Reopening is Lockdown" and a site-specific installation by Finnish artist Jenna Sutela titled "niimia" based on space bacteria language. TREVILAB presents "ARTE PER NOI" starting October 29, a three-part series curated by Contemporary Locus and Paola Tognon, focusing on art prizes, artist practices, and participatory workshops. Metronom Books hosts streaming conversations from authors of "Fasten Your Seatbelt" (from the Generazione Critica #6 conference) on Instagram, discussing technology's role in contemporary art. Hangar Bicocca's "Orlando Book Club" on October 29 features Chiara Valerio reading Virginia Woolf's "Orlando," linked to Trisha Baga's exhibition. These initiatives aim to maintain community during social distancing.