Open until 28 July 2024, the exhibition presents a selection of over 40 works of art seized from organized crime
LAMEZIA TERME – It was inaugurated on June 18that the Monumental Complex of San Domenico in Lamezia Terme, home of the Lamezia Archaeological Museum, Civic Visions – Art returned. From the works confiscated from the mafias to the common goodedited by Lorenzo Canova.
Works of art of inestimable value
The exhibition, created by the Trame Foundation, in collaboration with the MetaMorfosi Association and the patronage of the Ministry of the Interior, presents to the public a forty works of art coming from seizures carried out from various criminal organizations active in Italy. The masterpieces on display include works by twentieth-century masters such as Giorgio De Chirico, Antonio Ligabue, Paul Kostabi, Michele Cascella, Michele Cassinari, Cesare Berlingeri, Massimo Catalani, Luca Dall’Olio, Marco Lodola, Max Marra, Paolo Porelli, Pietro Annigoni, Franz Borghese and Bruno Caruso.
The tastes of bosses and the illegal art market
The exhibition offers an unprecedented insight into rconnection between mafia bosses and the art world. In fact, their passion for collecting emerges, often driven by the desire to acquire prestigious works to affirm their power and status. A phenomenon that has fueled an illegal market in works of art, encouraging money laundering and counterfeiting.
Lart as an educational tool
“The idea of the exhibition – has explained Nuccio IovenePresident of the Trame Foundation – was born two years ago, with the aim of valorising the works of art confiscated from the mafias and returning them to the community. We are proud to have created this project, which represents an important step in the fight against the mafia and in the promotion of culture” .
Pietro FolenaPresident of the MetaMorfosi Association, added: “MetaMorfosi dedicates part of its activity to the idea that art and culture are fundamental in the fight against the mafia. We are delighted today to bring this co-production with Fondazione Trame. We have 44 works in the exhibition curated by Lorenzo Canova, who immediately made himself available to take care of this project. A collection of exceptional works, which for the first time are returned to the community. In this restitution there is a very important sign”.
“We are proud and honored to host this exhibition. It’s about the consolidation of our networks, which carry forward cultural messages spread across multiple nettles. In every event we organize, we want art to be seen as an element of transparency. Museums are points of legality in the territory and to do this job we must build these networks is really important. Art is a cure for the soul, but it must above all become a tool for civic education.” – he underlined Simona BruniDirector of the Lamezzo Archaeological Museum.
Wanda FerroProsecutor of the Republic of Catanzaro, instead stated: “I believe that cultural commitment is a commitment that bears witness to the lives of those who fought crime and who suffered it. There is great attention towards Calabria in this phase. The battles must not be based only on repression, but there must be a real cultural revolution. This path must not be interrupted, but must be accompanied with daily actions“.
In the end, Bruno CordaDirector of the Confiscated Assets Agency, concluded: “As an agency we are moving on terrain we have never moved on in the past. The lack of initiatives has led to the issue of confiscated works of art being underestimated. In fact, it is a decisive point of reference. We have many works of art confiscated over time. Being able to find someone who has the civic courage to want to expose these things is a positive thing. We are demonstrating that power does not come through criminal action, but comes through state action“.
Vademecum
Civic Visions – Art returned. From the works confiscated from the mafias to the common good
Lamezzo Archaeological Museum – Monumental Complex of San Domenico
At your place: 18 June – 28 July 2024
Curator: Lorenzo Canova
Organization: Trame ETS Foundation, MetaMorfosi Association
Patronage: Ministry of Interior
Support: CDP Foundation
