OMA's Renovation of the Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio

December 16, 2024

A Devi Lazuardi

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A Devi Lazuardi

Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio by OMA (cr: OMA)

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1 of 12 OMA's Renovation of the Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio

OMA successfully completed the renovation of the Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy in collaboration with Andrea Tabocchini. The renovation was inaugurated by Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the occasion of the museum's bicentenary. The inauguration of the Gallery of the Kings is part of the full renovation of Museo Egizio undertaken by OMA which is expected to be completed by 2025. The renovated space has been transformed from its previous dark atmosphere to a light-reflecting aluminium wall.

Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio by OMA (cr: OMA)

Light enters the space sometimes through windows and lamps hanging from the ceiling and other times comes from behind the walls as a source of illumination. In 2006, scenographer Dante Ferretti renovated the Gallery of the Kings with a black box motif. OMA ushered in the change from dark to light using of aluminium walls to illuminate the space and allow visitors to see the ancient Egyptian sculptures clearly. From the reflective aluminium walls to the beams of light, visitors can appreciate the sculptures more with brighter lighting to easily observe the details and learn more about their place of creation in Thebes, or modern-day Luxor without having to squint or adjust their vision.

Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio by OMA (cr: OMA)

It was not just the effect of a brighter ambience that inspired OMA to remodel the galleries within the Museo Egizio in Turin. OMA's design team in collaboration with Andrea Tabocchini Architecture was informed by the curatorial and research efforts of the museum team. This was interpreted by bringing in the historical concept of light, which symbolised the creation process in ancient Egypt. The element of light itself is also often associated with kings and gods, making it a very appropriate approach for the sculptures that the space aims to highlight. As visitors enter the renovated Gallery of the Kings, they will pass through a darkened entrance with digital projections depicting the history of Karnak. After stepping inside, visitors will be bathed in daylight and museum lighting in the two main exhibition spaces. OMA reveals the original architecture of the monumental sculptures in this area with domes and tall windows all dating back to the 17th century. This natural light shines down on the statues just like the originals in Karnak. On reflective aluminium walls, OMA and Andrea Tabocchini Architecture display historical information about the sculptures.

Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio by OMA (cr: OMA)

This rearrangement was prepared to tell and display the history of ancient Egyptian monumental sculptures and buildings in chronological order and visual harmony. In the first exhibition area, face each other in the centre flanked by standing and seated statues of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. Originally the Statue of Seti II was placed in front of the king's chapel at Karnak Temple, marking the end of the tour. After this area visitors will pass through a second hall that refers to the interior of the temple with statues of kings and gods. Right in this hall Amenhotep II is seen offering wine to the statues of other kings. The centre area has the famous statue of King Ramses II and ends with the statues of the god Ptah and the god Amun presented as their animal avatars in the form of a ram. The entrance area of the gallery is directly connected to the Arcade's urban space through a curved portal that frames the ancient Lotus Column. The renovated Gallery of Kings is only part of OMA's full renovation of the Museo Egizio, scheduled for completion in 2025.

Gallery of Kings at Museo Egizio by OMA (cr: OMA)