The new concept created by Martino Gamper creates a multi-use, covered space in the museum's ground floor, offering a venue where people can meet and spend time, while at the same time being capable of hosting events, readings, meetings and even happenings that are not strictly part of the museum's work. The ground floor of Museion will therefore have a new look: the exhibitions will be hosted on the upper floors, while the foyer will acquire a more "fluid" identity. The ground floor / Museion Passage will be in constant communication with the Museion Café – the door to the Café will remain open, and thanks to the support of the Bolzano City Council, the space will be available free of charge for non-profit events held by artists and associations.
To create Museion Passage, Gamper worked in the exhibition space on the ground floor, breaking up its formal rigour. An installation in wood, like a gateway, marks the entrance to the Passage and invites the visitor to cross Museion's threshold. The area features a series of elements - larchwood benches, colourful plywood seats, and arolla pine partition walls. These can be used to adapt the space to the events it will host, while all contributing to the creation of one large installation.
The Passage will be involving the cultural players in the local area through Franz Magazine, South Tyrol's cultural portal, which will also provide event coordination support. Events can be held during the opening hours of Museion Passage, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 10 pm, and Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The Passage features graphics by Thomas K. Kronbichler, a young designer of the Franz Magazine team.
