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THE NEW EGYPTIAN MUSEUM<br />
History and 3.0 technology in the<br />
shadow of the Pharaohs<br />
The only museum in the world entirely<br />
dedicated to Egyptian art and culture - besides<br />
the one in Cairo - is scheduled to reopen<br />
soon. A culturally important place, this<br />
is one of the most visited museums in Italy.<br />
We spoke with the deeply involved Evelina<br />
Christillin, president of the Egyptian Museum<br />
of Turin Foundation.<br />
The renovation is spectacular. How did<br />
you approach this successful operation?<br />
It required bridging the past and the future<br />
in a harmonious way. The museum<br />
building - formerly called the “College<br />
of Nobles” - is from the late 17th century<br />
and is the work of Guarino Guarini and<br />
Michelangelo Garove, a real historic gem.<br />
The challenge was to ensure conservation<br />
restoration but also adopt a high-tech approach<br />
for the exhibition space.<br />
Using technology means being able to<br />
tell visitors the magnificent history of the<br />
works preserved here in a clearer and<br />
more attractive way.<br />
Exactly, beginning with our all-new website.<br />
But most importantly, we established<br />
close cooperation with the National Research<br />
Council, which set up a centre here,<br />
to create heightened reality for many of our<br />
museum works through tablet news and<br />
images distributed at the museum entrance<br />
as soon as it reopens. These new supports<br />
virtually reconstruct what has been broken<br />
up over time. Let’s suppose we’re in front of<br />
the sarcophagus of Kha; I see the moment<br />
in 1906 when Ernesto Schiaparelli found<br />
the tomb of the architect Kha and his beloved<br />
wife Merit [a relic that has remained astonishingly<br />
intact over the centuries]. This<br />
unique method of information will bring<br />
kids closer to the beauty of the Museum.<br />
What are three things not to be missed at<br />
the Egyptian Museum?<br />
Ah, that’s difficult... I would certainly<br />
say our collection of statuary. The iconic<br />
statue of King Ramses II always arouses<br />
visitors’ interest. Next, head to the collection<br />
of sarcophagi for a surprise: look up<br />
at the magnificent frescoes from the late<br />
18th century, brought back to life during<br />
restoration. You should also browse<br />
through the papyrus collection. If we<br />
spread them all out horizontally, they<br />
cover 220 metres!<br />
museoegizio.it<br />
ULISSE MARZO 2015 31
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