Museum for the Memory of Ustica in Bologna

The permanent installation by Christian Boltanski at the Museum for the Memory of Ustica in Bologna surrounds the remains of the DC9 shot down on June 27, 1980 while on its way to Palermo airport.

One year after his return to Bologna, the wreck of the passenger plane is shown in the evocative and evocative setting that the French artist has generously and purposely created for the city.

The 81 victims of the massacre are remembered through as many lights that turn on and off from the ceiling of the Museum to the rhythm of a breath.

Around the reconstructed aircraft 81 black mirrors reflect the image of those walking along the landing, while behind each of them 81 speakers emit whispered phrases, common and universal thoughts, to underline the randomness and inevitability of the tragedy.

Permanent installation by Christian Boltanski

Hanging on the walls are 81 black mirrors: one for each of the victims, similar to windows that show us the deep darkness of the night and at the same time refer to the mystery that, in part, still surrounds the story today. These mirrors, reflecting our image superimposed on that of the plane, also have the function of projecting us inside the installation.

At times the silence is broken by feeble voices that are now clearly distinguishable, now overlapping, merging as in a choir. From behind every mirror comes a voice that whispers a simple phrase, a daily thought; to represent the thoughts of passengers unaware of the inevitability of their fate.

As many light bulbs descend from the ceiling; their light intensifies and fades rhythmically, without ever turning off completely, to evoke the rhythm of the breath or heartbeat of the missing people, but also the pulse of the life of those who remember them.

Nine large black chests conceal and preserve as relics the objects that belonged to the victims (clothing, books, goggles, fins, snorkels), carefully photographed - in black and white - and collected by the artist in a "List", published in a booklet, which is an integral part of the installation.

A room annexed to the museum completes the itinerary by offering documents of all kinds (videos, films, articles, testimonies of the time, inquiries) that allow you to retrace the investigations hindered by the continuous misdirection that for decades have deliberately concealed the truth. The developments of a tormented judicial affair - still open - and the context of the Cold War with its fragile international equilibrium, the continuous tensions with Libya and the complex military and political alliances that have conditioned part of our history are therefore reconstructed. recent.

Visiting the museum is an experience that cannot leave you indifferent, inviting us to reflect on the value of memory and how art can still take on a role of civil witness in our society.

The French artist passed away in July 2021 and was 76 years old.

 

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Opening time
Thursday and Friday 9.00 - 13.00
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6.30pm
closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR GROUPS
To allow a better usability of the museum, groups over 10 people who do not take advantage of guided tours organized by the MAMbo Educational Department are required to book the visit in advance, by calling at least a week in advance:

Information and reservations for school groups
Monday and Friday from 9.00 to 13.00, Wednesday from 13.00 to 17.00 tel. 051 6496628 - email [email protected]

Information and reservations for families and adults:
Wednesday 10.00am-5.00pm, Thursday 1.00pm - 5.00pm
tel. 051 6496627 

For groups arriving at the museum by bus, please note that stopping on via di Saliceto is not allowed. It is advisable to stop briefly in via Ferrarese only for the time necessary for passengers to get off.

Map: Museum for the Memory of Ustica in Bologna