A shocking incident recently took place at Verona’s Palazzo Maffei, where a pair of tourists caused damage to Italian artist Nicola Bolla’s chair sculpture “Van Gogh” adorned with Swarovski crystals. The incident, captured on surveillance footage, shows one visitor sitting on the artwork while the other took a photo, resulting in the chair’s front legs snapping and the tourists hastily leaving the gallery.
The video, released in June after the incident in April, blurred the faces of the tourists who have not yet been identified. The artwork was restored and put back on display at the museum, which houses a collection of 650 artworks spanning antiquity to contemporary periods.
In a statement to Hyperallergic, Bolla referred to the act as both idiotic and artistic, likening it to a performance. He expressed his intention to create a new work titled “Buster Keaton’s Chair” inspired by the incident, drawing parallels to Czechoslovakian Cubism. Bolla, known for his skull-shaped figures embellished with Swarovski crystals, is a conceptual sculptor and a practicing eye doctor.
The museum’s director, Vanessa Carlon, condemned the tourists’ behavior as irresponsible and a nightmare for any museum. The incident highlighted the ongoing issue of tourists disrespecting Italian cultural heritage, with past incidents including vandalism at Pompeii and Florence. Italian authorities have implemented measures to address overtourism and protect cultural sites, such as restricting access to popular destinations like Pompeii and Venice.
Hyperallergic has reached out to Italian law enforcement in Verona for further information, while Palazzo Maffei is yet to respond to inquiries. The restoration of Bolla’s artwork serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and respecting cultural heritage in the face of increasing tourist activity.
