The Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea has offered its galleries to help with the vaccination programme in Italy, a country severely affected by the pandemic. The museum in Turin will be the first cultural venue to be converted into a public vaccination centre when the pilot programme begins in March or April, depending on the progress of the vaccination of medical workers and elderly patients in hospitals, which have priority.
The museum’s director Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev said in a statement that the museum is “well equipped” for the initiative, having the necessary space to keep the required distancing. In addition, air control, security and entry protocols are guaranteed for the proper operation of a vaccination centre. “The friendly guards of our museum are well trained in controlling the movements of the public,” Christov-Bakargiev added.
The museum is collaborating with the Turin health authorities on this initiative. The third floor, with an area of over 3,000 square meters, will be given for vaccination, while the museum’s scheduled exhibitions will continue on the two lower floors when it is allowed to reopen (Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea belongs to the “orange zone”, so its opening will be delayed). Those waiting patiently in line to be vaccinated will be able to see the fresco installations of Swiss artist Claudia Comte who will also prepare an acoustic work of art, keeping in mind the new vaccination center.
Art has always been supportive, healing,and caring – in fact, some of the first museums in the world were hospitals,” Christov-Bakargiev reminded us. “Our buildings can continue to serve this purpose and fulfill our mission: arte cura – art cures” she pointed out.
