“Beautiful and exciting.” This is the opinion expressed by the bishop of Piacenza Monsignor Adriano Cevolotto on the Icônes exhibition underway at the PalabancaEventi in via Mazzini and which offers an immersive (virtual) journey into the three wonders of Piacenza: the Ecce Homo by Antonello da Messina, the Tondo by Botticelli and Klimt’s Portrait of a Lady.
Monsignor Cevolotto – accompanied by the director of the Cultural Heritage Office of the Diocese Manuel Ferrari – was welcomed by the president of the Banca di Piacenza Giuseppe Nenna and by the deputy general director Pietro Boselli. Present at the visit were the Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Piacenza Christian Fiazza and Robert Gionelli of the Piacenza and Vigevano Foundation.
The illustrious guests entered the environment created in the Sala Corrado Sforza Fogliani by Neo (Narrative Environments Operas) and characterized by a large round screen nine meters in diameter on which the images of the three enlarged works are video-projected in sequence, in very slow movement. The round shape is a primary shape that stands out in the square of the wall. The entire floor is affected by a projection of slightly moving water. The backdrop changes depending on the painting, alternating different chromatic atmospheres and suggestions. Some key words, or short phrases, emerge from the liquid element evoking the main messages of each work: pain and resignation, humility and grace, charm and seduction.
The soundtrack is also highly appreciated, with three “movements” composed ad hoc that create different atmospheres depending on the work displayed: Lacrymosa from Verdi’s “Messa da Requiem” for Ecce Homo, because in addition to the religious theme it speaks of associated tears to the water that reflects as if it were a lake of tears; The Virgin of the Angels from “La Forza del Destino” – also by Verdi -, for the Tondo, because it is a prayer to the Virgin with the hope that she will wrap us in her mantle as she is represented in the painting; Always free from “La traviata” because it is a hymn to freedom of customs just like Klimt wants the Lady.
