A couple’s careless behavior leads to significant damage at Verona’s Palazzo Maffei, prompting the museum to emphasize the importance of art appreciation.
Museum Urges Respect for Art After Crystal Chair Incident
Museum Urges Respect for Art After Crystal Chair Incident
Italian museum calls for greater awareness after couple damages a crystal chair while taking selfies.
An urgent message from an Italian museum emphasizes the need for visitors to treat art with respect after a couple's careless selfie attempt resulted in a damaged artwork. The Palazzo Maffei in Verona recently shared footage of the two patrons posing with a crystal-studded chair, designed by artist Nicola Bolla and adorned with hundreds of sparkling Swarovski crystals.
In the video, the man appears to slip and accidentally crush the chair under his weight, which is notably lightweight and primarily hollow. Although the incident happened back in April, the museum only released the footage on June 12, drawing attention to the unfortunate event. Museum director Vanessa Carlon revealed that the couple fled the scene without informing the staff, leading to a police report being filed for the unidentified individuals.
"This is a nightmare for any museum," Carlon expressed, pointing out that while accidents happen, the couple's failure to communicate adds frustration to the situation. "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture," she noted, underscoring the need for mindfulness in art spaces.
Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo described the chair as an homage to Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting of a simple chair, highlighting the care involved in creating such installations. Fortunately, the museum announced that restoration efforts had been successful, with the chair now returned to its pedestal where it warns visitors against touching.
The Palazzo Maffei, which opened its doors in 2020, hosts a diverse collection including works by Picasso and artifacts from ancient Egypt. Carlon hopes that the sharing of this incident will serve as a call for respectful engagement with art. "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile," she concluded, emphasizing that the vast majority of visitors are mindful of their surroundings.
