Claudia Stoian and Mirella Carbone – Segantini Museum

Claudia Stoian and Mirella Carbone are the co-directors of the Segantini Museum, where their responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the museum, organising events, running its website and much, much more. They took time out from their busy days to tell us what it’s like working at one of St. Moritz’s most famous museums.

What is special about the Segantini Museum and why is it definitely worth visiting?
Claudia: For me, the most fascinating aspects are how it came to be, and its architecture. We are often asked if it used to be a church because of its large stone-covered dome that was envisioned by Segantini himself. The original plan included a large domed building that would have housed a panoramic painting of the Engadin. Unfortunately, this had to be scaled down due to high costs, and so Segantini redesigned the project to be a triptych, a monumental artwork depicting the cycle of nature, life and death. He passed away high on Schafberg mountain before it could be completed, so the museum was built in his honour, and the large dome now houses the Alpine triptych.
Mirella: It’s home to the most comprehensive and significant collection of works by Segantini, who is one of the world’s great masters of Alpine painting. This museum is really special because it was originally designed not just as a place to exhibit art, but as a monument for remembering and honouring the artist who died so unexpectedly in 1899, aged 41. It's like a walk-in ‘mausoleum’ for him. The unique dome shape also reminds us of the Pantheon in Rome. The building also points eastwards towards the Schafberg mountain, where Segantini died.

The museum is a small but internationally renowned institution. Why are there two directors here instead of one?
Claudia: Although we are a small institution and a small team, we have a sizeable collection of extremely valuable artworks, with similar responsibilities to larger museums. It used to be led by one director who oversaw the financial management, administration, curation and care of the collection. However, the Board of Directors recognised that these duties naturally divide into the practical day-to-day operations, and stewardship of the collection and realisation of exhibitions. It was then decided to adopt a dual directorship, which I think has proven to be quite effective. Mirella and I collaborate very closely and continually seek one another’s counsel.
Mirella: Yes, it may sound strange, but I am glad that the Board of Directors decided to adopt a dual directorship. I really enjoy not having to take responsibility for all the areas, but instead being able to concentrate on artistic issues and curatorial tasks.

What do you both particularly like about your job as directors?
Mirella: Because we’re a small team, we have many different areas of responsibility. I like that, as it makes my daily work very varied and exciting. I take care of the maintenance, but also the expansion of our collection through new acquisitions, which involves finding sponsors for those and for exhibitions. I’m also required to answer the numerous specialist questions about Segantini, the artist, and his work that we receive from the public, as well as conceiving and implementing special exhibitions, handling loan requests from other museums, and personally accompanying the works that are loaned out.
Claudia: My favourite part is interacting with the visitors and seeing the profound effect the artworks have on them. It’s such a joy to see people arrive having never heard of Giovanni Segantini, only to leave utterly captivated, having fallen in love with his works. Those who already know his paintings return again and again to see them. A couple of years ago, one visitor came all the way from Hamburg just for our museum. They spent a day and a half here, most of it upstairs in the domed hall with the Alpine Triptych, and left visibly moved. Moments like that stay with you and it’s very touching to know that our works have stirred so many emotions, which is why we do our best to create the best possible experience for our visitors.

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Views from the Top – Follow Your Art Part II