Nicola Mette's Covid patient performance in Milan
On July 4, 2020, Sardinian-born artist Nicola Mette performed 'Urbi et Orbi' in Milan, walking barefoot in a hospital gown with an IV drip through San Babila, Piazza Gae Aulenti, Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Garibaldi, pausing at institutional buildings like the Lombardy Region headquarters. The performance referenced Pope Francis's unprecedented blessing of an empty St. Peter's Square on March 27, 2020, and aimed to critique those who denied the pandemic's dangers, underestimated risks, abandoned elderly in nursing homes, and left healthcare workers without protective measures, particularly in Lombardy. Mette reported varied reactions from unwitting audiences: some asked if he had escaped from hospital, others if he was okay, and a group of mothers with children showed terror on the metro. ATM staff inquired about his well-being, but he remained silent, drawing a parallel to those the region left to die.
Key facts
- Performance took place on July 4, 2020.
- Artist Nicola Mette is from Sardinia.
- Route included San Babila, Piazza Gae Aulenti, Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Garibaldi, and Lombardy Region headquarters.
- Mette wore only a hospital gown and walked barefoot with an IV pole.
- Title 'Urbi et Orbi' references Pope Francis's March 27, 2020 blessing of empty St. Peter's Square.
- Performance aimed to denounce denial of pandemic dangers and poor emergency management in Lombardy.
- Reactions included questions from passersby and terror from mothers with children on the metro.
- ATM staff asked if Mette was okay, but he did not respond.
- Mette compared his silence to the people Lombardy left to die.
Entities
Artists
- Nicola Mette
Institutions
- Artribune
- ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi)
- Regione Lombardia
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- San Babila
- Piazza Gae Aulenti
- Duomo
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Garibaldi
- Lombardy
- Sardinia
- St. Peter's Square
- Vatican City