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"Ouverture"
was the contemporary art exhibition that inaugurated the restored castle.
The natural lighting and the dialogue between the architecture and the works
of art it contain render this museum unique and different from other contemporary
art museums. Its messages are more real and interesting. The restoration work
on the Manica Lunga commenced. The 17th century construction was still
heavily damaged by the previous installation of lofts and make-shift additions
which had drastically altered the internal spaces. The space in the long gallery
commissioned by Carlo Emanuele I for his painting collection has been returned
to its original condition. To maintain the integrity of the interior the stairways,
lifts and washrooms have been placed outside the north wall of the main structure
so as to not take away from the architecture of the original building. These
have been constructed using up to date material and building techniques. The
new roof is held aloft by a series of metal girders; light penetrates the
upper part of the gallery through two long window slits running the length
of the ceiling; one end of the gallery has been completed with a large floor-to-ceiling
glass window which frames the rustic castle wall it faces. On the other end,
a mirrored wall reflects the gallery interior making it appear double the
length it actually is. This mirrored wall also holds a tall window which opens
onto the landscape outside. The main entrance to the Manica Lunga begins
at the level of Juvarra's atrium, in the space erected in the 18th century
in symmetrical opposition to the grand staircase that now leads to the castle.
The space has been completed with a light weight structure which covers the
antique brickwork. A second entrance to the Manica Lunga is provided
by a new stairway contained by brick walls which divide it from the square.
1991-1995
The outstanding
phases of construction of Rivoli and the restoration work were put on display
in the "Arte & Arte" exhibition held at the Castello between
February 15 and May 21, 1991. As the work on the castle was brought to a close,
work on the Manica Lunga began. Its architecture, severely compromised by
the changes made beginning in the 1800s, has been brought back to its original
splendor thanks to Andrea Bruno's renovation work. The windows have been reinstalled,
the internal partitions have been removed, a new covering has been added over
the structures ready to be utilized as the new wing of the museum.