Museo del Novecento: Fontana and Manzoni Explained in Italian Sign Language

Museo del Novecento: making art accessible with sign language

The Museo del Novecento in Milan has expanded its accessibility services, introducing tools aimed at visitors who are deaf or have visual impairments. Key works by Lucio Fontana and Piero Manzoni are now presented through Italian Sign Language (LIS) videos, tactile routes and braille materials.

These initiatives are intended to make the permanent collection easier to experience, offering alternative mediation methods alongside traditional text labels and promoting inclusive participation.

• LIS videos: signed video explanations that accompany visits and provide accessible interpretative information.
• Tactile routes: tactile installations and models that allow visitors to explore certain works by touch, supporting blind and partially sighted audiences.
• Braille materials: guides and information sheets in braille, developed in collaboration with students and local educational institutions.

These resources help convey formal and conceptual aspects of the artists’ work — from Fontana’s focus on materiality and slashes to Manzoni’s conceptual gestures — offering a fuller, more inclusive museum experience.

For practical details about availability, routes and how to access these services, check the museum’s official channels or contact the ticket office directly; many resources are available both on-site and online.