Vittorio Sgarbi appointed president of MAG museum in Riva del Garda

Vittorio Sgarbi, the prominent art critic and historian, has been named the new president of the MAG (Museo Alto Garda) in Riva del Garda, appointed by mayor Cristina Santi. He joins the board of directors alongside Laura Pignattari, Vittorio Colombo, Matteo Arvedi, and Ruggero Morandi. The museum, housed in the medieval Rocca di Riva castle overlooking Lake Garda and at the Galleria Civica G. Segantini in Arco, holds collections of paintings by artists such as Pietro Ricchi, Vincenzo Vela, and Francesco Hayez, along with archaeological finds and local history objects. Sgarbi, who also serves as president of the nearby MART (Museo di arte moderna e contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto), plans to create a bridge between the two institutions. He aims to launch an ambitious program in the coming months, including a major exhibition by Easter 2022, which he describes as 'formidable' and capable of overshadowing MART. The exhibition, involving a major European museum closed for 2022, would create a link between Veneto, Trentino, and Germany. Sgarbi defends his multiple roles as unpaid activism, stating he seeks to 'put together mosaics that allow results' and has no personal ambition. The official program awaits city council approval, followed by a press conference. He envisions a joint ticket and initiatives to leverage the higher visitor traffic of Lake Garda compared to Rovereto.