THEn an era where every moment is documented, shared, transformed into content, art also becomes a photographic set. But sometimes the price of a post is definitely too high. The MAFFEI Palazzo Museum in Veronawhere one of the most fragile and suggestive works of the collection was damaged by two tourists. The reason? A “effect” selfie. Involuntary protagonist: the famous “Van Gogh” chair ofArtist Nicola Bolla, entirely covered with Swarovski crystals. The result? A broken work, a viral video, and a collective reflection that the museum has decided not to avoid: because art, before being a show, is heritage.
The Swarovski chair collapses under the weight of the imprudence
Everything happened in a few moments. Two visitors take advantage of the temporary absence of surveillance staff And they approach the exhibited chair. It is a delicate work, created by Nicola Bolla as poetic and fragile tributewith a surface entirely covered with Swarovski crystals. In the video released by the museum, you can see the man approach, sit – probably for a “memorable” photo – and then the chair yields. It collapses. The two tourists move quickly. The damage is done, and it is serious.
Palazzo Maffei Museum Public video of the accident: “Our nightmare”
To publicly tell the episode was the Director of the Museum, Vanessa Carlon, with a post that has become viral. His words are as sharp as sincere: «It would be ridiculous if unfortunately it hadn’t really happened. It is the nightmare par excellence of each museum “. The movie, filmed by internal cameras e Then shared in a Reel on the Instagram account of Palazzo Maffeiimmediately aroused reactions, attracting the attention of the media and the public.
Swarovski chair damaged: complex restoration
The museum, in its official communication, did not limit itself to denouncing the incident. He also told the uncertainty followed to the gesture. “For days we did not know if it would have been possible to restore it “said the direction. The immediate intervention of the police, the readiness of the Security Department and the accurate work of the restorers, however, allowed a small miracle: The work was saved. Now he is again in his placebut brings with it a message that the museum has decided to share.
The Lancia Appeal Museum: “Art is to be protected”
“We decided not to limit ourselves to telling what happened,” reads the museum note. “We want to transform this episode into an opportunity for reflection and awareness. Because art is not just to see. It is to love. It is to be protected “. With this declaration, Palazzo Maffei intends to start a wider dialogue with the public, not to blame, but to educate to a more aware use of the museum spaces. Because each work is the result of care, ingenuity and sensitivity, and as such it must be respected.
An invitation to look, don’t touch
The gesture of tourists It is not an isolated episodebut part of a widespread phenomenon: that of unauthorized interaction with works of art in museums. Too often the desire to “live” a work translates into harmful behaviors. The invitation, today more than ever, is simple and clear: observe, understand, but do not touch. Art can and must excite, but it is not made to be used. Because every part of his, even the most fragile, tells a story.
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