As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for history and architecture, I must say that the renovation of Museo Egizio by OMA is nothing short of breathtaking. The Gallery of Kings has transported me back to the ancient world without the need for any virtual reality gear!
To mark 200 years since Museo Egizio in Turin was established, renowned international architecture firm OMA has been chosen for the privilege of updating Italy’s well-known archaeological museum. One of the initial parts of the project being refurbished is the Gallery of Kings, designed by David Gianotten and Andreas Karavanas from OMA together with Andrea Tabocchini Architecture, which was recently revealed.
The new gallery showcases a set of ancient Egyptian statues from Thebes (current-day Luxor). This contemporary space has replaced the 2006 black box gallery designed by scenographer Dante Ferretti. OMA’s Gallery of Kings follows an architectural layout reminiscent of an old Egyptian temple. As you enter, you are greeted by two mirrored sphinxes at the center, along with statues of the Egyptian deity Sekhmet. A statue of Seti II, originally housed at the Temple of Karnak, stands tall at the gallery’s end, proudly positioned at the hall’s culmination.
What stands out most in the rejuvenated space is the gentle mirroring effect of the aluminum walls, creating an atmosphere that combines grandeur and contemporary style. This blank, reflective interior might be a better match for the statues’ original setting than the 17th-century museum structure, echoing the empty spaces and lack of vanishing points common in ancient Egyptian artwork. In another perspective, the light-emitting properties of the chrome walls evoke the ample natural light found in the original temple.
By 2025, you can expect the complete overhaul of Museo Egizio to be completed. Above are some images offering a sneak peek into the freshly revealed Gallery of Monarchs.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-25 00:55