Beyond the catastrophe. The reopening of the Gallery of Modern Art ‘Aroldo Bonzagni’ after the earthquake

Abstract

On the night of 20 May 2012, the Emilia provinces were hit by a strong earthquake. At the center of this area is the Municipality of Cento, which was one of the areas most affected by the tragic event. In addition to damage to roads, houses, offices and other structures, the library, the Borgatti Theater, the Vitali Gipsoteca, the famous Civic Picture Gallery dedicated to Guercino and the Gallery of Modern Art were also seriously damaged. The Gallery, after careful restoration work, was reopened with a major exhibition dedicated to the painter Aroldo Bonzagni (1887-1918) with a focus on his activity during the First World War. This exhibition was an opportunity to think of a new and more modern set-up and, at the same time, a reorganization of museum services.