Tables set and an open-air disco in Italy’s most famous art gallery, just a few centimeters away from ancient and invaluable books. This is the party organized by Cristina Fogazzi, better known for the brand Estetista Cinica, to launch her new Spanish project. The influencer with 1 million followers organized a party complete with a banquet in what is considered one of Milan’s great institutions: the Braidense National Library and the Honor Courtyard of Brera. And immediately, controversies erupted. How much the party cost ‘For the party,’ says Angelo Crespi, director of the Brera Art Gallery, ‘they paid about 80 thousand euros, plus 15 thousand separately for the custodians.’ He emphasizes: ‘The prices are not decided by the museums, they are strictly defined by a regulation of the ministry based on square meters, type of spaces, presence of works. Since the Franceschini reform, the rental of spaces by cultural institutions has become a budget item to finance restorations, conservation, and enhancement.’ The party The mega party featured Italian and Spanish influencers, but also aspiring TV personalities like Giulia Salemi. The controversies are mainly related to the dinner consumed in the Braidense Library, where it is strictly forbidden for students to eat or even drink water. To consult texts, it is also necessary to use white gloves. Understandable, considering the priceless value of the library’s collection. For Estetista Cinica, however, it was free rein to music and feasting just a few centimeters away from the tomes. The complaint The Instagram page Milano_segreta, which organizes cultural tours in the city, lashed out against Estetista Cinica. ‘Yesterday, a truly indecent, indeed, disgraceful show took place, which does no honor at all to an important institution like Brera. But since I see that no one who is exposed or involved has the courage to speak up, I will say it,’ they wrote in several Instagram stories. ‘I learn with great dismay, incredulously, that she organized a party for her brand at Brera. And well, someone might say, she pays, she also advertises the museum, so what? No, it matters a lot to me,’ they continued. ‘Because the dinner, in particular, was set up inside the Braidense Library. For those who don’t know or have never been there, for students who need to consult books, for tour guides, and anyone who needs to do research, it is strictly forbidden to eat inside, and strictly forbidden to even drink water. And it is also strictly mandatory to use white gloves inside. Very just rules, considering that I would like to remind those who don’t know, that the Braidense has a priceless book collection among the most important in Europe. Now someone needs to explain to me how it is possible that they are even allowed to have feasts, music, etc., literally a few centimeters away from ancient tomes and shelves?’ The reply from Estetista Cinica On Instagram, Fogazzi clarified that she personally organized the event inside Brera, emphasizing the great publicity made by the Spanish influencers. ‘I paid to be in a location. I have always paid for everything I have done, like any other brand. Let’s stop with the mystification of cultural places. The works you see inside Brera were made thanks to private patrons. If you don’t know, the paintings, the great paintings that you go to see, have always been produced for private patrons. All painting has always been strongly desired by private patrons even in its historical evolutions. The Brera Art Gallery, moreover, is not a highly visited museum in Italy. I decided to bring ten Spanish influencers to Brera saying ‘So a few million people in Spain see Brera.’ Fortunately, there are people who get rich with their work. What I have, I have earned it all. I am not rich from family.’
