“Museion reached out to us.”

Offering space, visibility and networking to local creative people and fostering independent interaction. This was the mission that gave rise, in 2021, to the Museion Art Club Forum: an autonomous group of people between the ages of 20 and 35 that operates as an independent consultation/planning think tank and an extended network for Museion.
We asked Alex Giovanelli and Philipp Kieser, who are active in the creative sphere in the South Tyrol and were part of the Forum right from the start, what it was like to participate in this ambitious project now that they have passed on the baton.

In one word, what was it like being part of Museion Art Club?

Alex Giovanelli: Well, it was like Museion reached out its hand to us, and that was a very powerful sign.

Why is Museion Art Club so important for the creative scene?

AG: What I think is most important is that an institution like Museion recognizes local talent and opens up to the outside world. In my opinion, this is crucial for both the creative scene and Museion itself, because doing that brings talents in, while also giving institutional confirmation to what most of us, who operate in subcultures, are doing. It boosts our confidence and increases our self-belief in a way that other similar assignments don’t. It is also an environment that gives you the chance to experiment in places and with strategies that you dream about, but which just aren’t feasible in other situations because of budgets and logistics.

We were struck previously by you talking about “confidence” and an institution that has trust in you.

AG: It is a different kind of confidence. I always think – and perhaps you remember - the Techno exhibition. Frida (Editor’s Note: Frida Carazzato, a Museion scientific curator) created something I found incredible… an archive of South Tyrol subculture. That got very positive feedback from young people, because we have never received any kind of recognition from local government or the South Tyrol world in general. Normally, it is the exact opposite! We almost had to thank them for letting us do, to put it frankly, unsere Kindereien do - even the tiniest silly thing. I’m not saying there are no institutions or public offices that have supported us in some way, but at a municipal level, there is a bit of skepticism about what we do. And we see that in many contexts, like the Est Ovest Club in Merano or even the problems Basis is experiencing. They should be rolling out red carpets for these places. We are talking about what the South Tyrol of the future should look like and where space is needed for doing stuff, that’s all. Being able to do stuff at Museion gives the institution credence.

It is a space that is missing in Bolzano…

AG: Well, in many other municipalities too, I’d say. I’ve lived all over South Tyrol, from Brixen to the Venosta Valley and Merano. I’m originally from the South Tyrolean Unterland, so I’m familiar with a lot of different situations, and I get the impression that slowly this attitude is finally crumbling. I have a feeling that there is a new debate going on and, in my opinion, Museion has helped to stir things up, by giving people a certain kind of confidence that they can go beyond what has already been done before.

In the time you were actively involved in it, what impact did being a member of Museion Art Club have on your life?

Philipp Kieser: It was incredibly rewarding to collaborate with like-minded people, many of whom I had never met or worked with before. This experience shaped my understanding of the creative potential of the collective and its power to drive social innovation, which is often underestimated in South Tyrol. What is needed is space and financial support to bring the creative and cultural network together, as well as the minds within it. Museion has started this, but other public and private sector entities must follow.

More specifically, what did Museion Art Club help you achieve?

PK: Being able to work in what felt like an ideal environment, where I had the opportunity to curate events and get adequately paid for it, had a significant impact on me. It allowed me to experience what it feels like to do what you love doing while receiving the compensation you deserve for it. This experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of pursuing creative work in a professional, sustained context. Secondly, but no less importantly, Museion supported our community by amplifying our voice and standing up for us in the public eye.

How has your Museion Art Club experience changed your view of the museum - and other museums beyond Bolzano - and the impact they can have on the public sphere?

AG: Let’s say that before, I used to view the museum as much more static, and I also saw contemporary art as more disconnected. Even if I was interested in it, there was still a wall there, where you would think, OK, but what has this got to do with me? I would say that we have opened things up significantly, because we have learned a lot in terms of concepts, not only thanks to the invaluable input from the Museion team, but from other disciplines too. Now I know how a designer, an opera director, a curator or someone from the Museion marketing team thinks of and plans an event… and that has value.

PK: In general, I would say that Bart’s vision of the museum (Editor’s Note: Bart van der Heide, the Museion Director) as an active and dynamic space – evolving from a static institution into an organism embedded in both the local context and the international network – was eye-opening. I realized that a museum can be much more than a static entity. It can be a place for research, interaction, networking, care and innovation. A space that brings people together and adapts more quickly than you might imagine. This organic, ever-changing approach was new to me.

So you’re enthusiastic… but what do you think could be improved?

AG: Yes! There was no precedent. There wasn’t even a model or anything similar somewhere else, apart from a few international reference points. Considering the tools we had at our disposal, it was a success. Obviously there are a lot of things we can discuss. It is a process and improving the project is part of the project.

The Museion Art Club project is supported by the Museion Private Founders, a group of contemporary art lovers and private supporters of the Foundation. Its aim is to bridge the gap between the cultural and business sectors in a fruitful and mutual exchange.

Find out more about this project and forthcoming Museion Art Club events!