AUCKLAND Just days after touting an upcoming Vatican exhibition as a major coup for Auckland Museum, the museums director cancelled the planned three-month exhibition because some key artworks were withdrawn. The exhibition, Vatican: The Story. The Art. The Architecture., was scheduled to open on March 7. It was to feature art and artefacts from Michelangelo, Bernini and Giotto.
Auckland Museum director Vanda Vitali said she was not satisfied when the amended contents of the exhibit was announced and on behalf of New Zealanders would not settle for a less significant line-up.
I could not in good conscience present an exhibition that did not live up to what was promised and what we believe our visitors expect from this museum, said Dr Vitali.
A museum spokeswoman said among the pieces that were pulled from the lineup which was being planned for well over a year were Bernini and Michelangelo creations.
The exhibition was scheduled to travel from Auckland to Sydney, being on show there for World Youth Day 2008 in July. The Australian Museum, with which Auckland Museum was co-
ordinating arrangements, has also cancelled the exhibition.
Dr Vitali said the decision was a difficult one because of the interest the Vatican exhibition had generated among schools, churches and art lovers.
It breaks my heart not to be able to offer this to individuals and groups who had already made plans around its exhibition dates. We know there was excitement and anticipation about this show, she said.
Catholic Communications director Lyndsay Freer, who had been working closely with Auckland Museum, said news of the cancellation was devastating and a great disappointment to them as it is to us.
