The Palazzo Maffei in Verona is calling for respect for art following an incident where a couple broke a crystal-encrusted chair, highlighting the importance of mindful behavior in cultural spaces.
Art Under Threat: Couple's Carelessness Shatters Museum Piece
Art Under Threat: Couple's Carelessness Shatters Museum Piece
An Italian museum faces the repercussions of a couple's reckless behavior after a crystal-covered chair was broken during a photo op.
An Italian museum has made an urgent appeal for visitors to "respect art" after a couple was filmed breaking a unique chair adorned with hundreds of sparkling crystals. The incident occurred at Palazzo Maffei in Verona, where CCTV footage shows the couple capturing selfies while pretending to sit on the chair, famously dubbed the "Van Gogh" chair. The man's careless slip ended with him collapsing onto the fragile piece, leading to its destruction. Unbeknownst to the museum staff, the couple left the scene before the damage was discovered, prompting officials to alert the police regarding their identities.
Museum director Vanessa Carlon expressed her frustration, emphasizing that while the act may have been unintentional, their departure without alerting anyone casts a shadow on the incident. "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences," Carlon noted, reflecting the challenges museums face with visitor behavior. The chair, crafted by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, is not only a visual masterpiece embellished with Swarovski crystals but also has a fragile structure predominantly composed of hollow materials held together by foil. A warning sign was clearly displayed on the chair, and its placement on a pedestal indicated it was not meant for use.
Following the incident in April, the museum has successfully restored the chair after two of its legs and the main seat were damaged. Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo remarked on the craftsmanship of the chair and reiterated the significance of art preservation. The Palazzo Maffei, which opened its doors to the public in 2020, is home to over 650 art pieces, ranging from Picasso to ancient Egyptian artifacts. In a hopeful conclusion, Carlon stated that most visitors are respectful, aiming to transform this incident into an opportunity to advocate for mindfulness in spaces where art is cherished and displayed. "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile," she concluded.
