2006. The Way to Jerusalem: when a polystyrene wall made more noise than expected

Travelling photographic exhibition between Molfetta and Castellaneta (TA): Holy Land, intercultural dialogue... and a night when someone decided to 'participate' in their own way.

Context and objectives

The heart of the project was (and is) intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean: bringing together different perspectives, memories and sensibilities through art, photography, music and video installations.

Three artists, three different languages, one direction.

My role

I was responsible for video projections, graphics, communication and some photographic installations.

Among these was also a striking element that welcomed visitors: a wall (made of polystyrene), already installed in Molfetta, which almost blocked the entrance to the Hospital of the Crusaders. It was designed as a symbol of the wall that divides Israelis and Palestinians.

A dramatic gesture to emotionally engage the audience, who had to cross that wall to access the events.

I was responsible for the video projections, graphics and communication for the event. I transformed a reportage made in the Holy Land during a trip with the Franciscans into a visual narrative made up of images, rhythm, editing and stage presence.

In practice: I sought a balance between emotion and technique.

Partners and network

- Music: Giovannagelo de Gennaro – an evocative soundscape;

- Art installations: Paolo de Santoli – works and installations that filled the space with meaning, not noise;

- Me: images, videos, graphics and storytelling – the thread that tied everything together.

Results

After Molfetta, "La Via di Gerusalemme" arrived in Castellaneta in 2006. The idea was the same: an immersive experience that symbolically retraced the pilgrims' journey to the Holy Land, to talk about spirituality and inner journey without preaching.

In Castellaneta, however, reality decided to enter the scene uninvited: the night before the inauguration, some of my photographic installations in the town's central square and that wall were burned and destroyed.

I still remember the feeling: not just anger, but also an unsettling doubt — the kind that makes you realise that the symbol had reached its destination.

If a work of art causes a stir, it means it has struck a nerve. And yes, I would have preferred a less... inflammatory nerve.

The story even made it into the press: La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, 3 October 2006, with a headline that left no room for interpretation.

If you want to put together an exhibition or cultural event that is not only 'beautiful to look at' but also capable of raising real questions, let's talk about it: I am still interested in that precise point where art stops decorating and starts disturbing (in a good way).

Further information

press > https://www.exibart.com/artista-curatore-critico-arte/gaetano-armenio/

video conference > https://youtu.be/5jEnCzS6_aQ

video >  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTe_AagoCW4&t=220s

2003. A cybachrome work entitled OLIVE VIRGIN was created on the occasion of a prestigious contemporary art collective, which included the participation of prominent national and international artists .This collective was characterized by its provocative theme centered on the OLIVE VIRGIN, a symbol rich in cultural, spiritual and social meanings, which served as a common thread among the various art exhibitions and contemporary art shows presented.

The event took place in two prestigious venues: the Pinacoteca Provinciale in Bari, where the works were exhibited from May 31 to June 30, 2003, and the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which hosted the exhibition from December 6, 2003, to January 6, 2004. These art exhibitions in such prestigious venues helped to reinforce the importance of thiscultural event.

This art collective represented a cross-cultural dialogue between contemporary artists from different parts of the world, offering innovative and often provocative interpretations on the theme of the olive and its symbolism. The works exhibited explored the relationship between tradition and contemporaneity, stimulating deep reflection on the significance of the olive in Mediterranean culture and beyond.

The inclusion of my work VIRGIN OF OLIVE in this context made it possible to highlight the interplay between modernity and tradition, offering the public a critical and artistic look at a topic of great cultural relevance. This event stood out among art exhibitions for its commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and the exploration of contemporary issues through art.

2005.Realization of a video-photographic reportage on the processional rites of Sicilian Holy Week, a work that captured the depth and spirituality of Easter traditions in some of Sicily's most emblematic municipalities. This project was carried out with the collaboration of theToscana Photography Workshop and under the expert guidance of tutor Andrea Pistolesi, known for his contributions to contemporary photography .

The reportage took place in the towns of Barrafranca, Enna, Scicli, Sortino, Melilli, Trapani and Ferla, places renowned for their processions rich in history and spirituality. 

The images and videos collected during this art project were subsequently presented in a series of audio-video-photographic projections that took place in Molfetta at St. Peter's Church on March 11, 12 and 13, 2005.These artistic displays offered the public a visual immersion in the rites of Holy Week, enhancing the link between art and religious traditions.

To complete the event, the theatrical performance by actor Ninì Vernola added a dramatic and engaging dimension to the experience, making the event an important opportunity for cultural dialogue and spiritual reflection. This cultural event thus represented a meeting point between different forms of artistic expression, consolidating the importance of photographic reportage as a tool for visual storytelling and historical documentation.

press: www.exibart.com/evento-arte/gaetano-armenio-misere

2003. FISH d'APRIL - Contemporary Art Collective. On the occasion of this exhibition, work entitled GLI AMANTI DI PARMA was produced for an exhibition that was characterized by its ironic and self-mocking approach to contemporary art and the art system.

This art group show provided a unique opportunity for artists to explore and challenge traditional concepts related to the art world, offering the public a critical and provocative look at topical issues.

The event, which took place on April 1, 2003 , at the Spazio IKONOS Gallery in Bari, attracted the attention of art enthusiasts and critics alike, establishing itself as one of the most original contemporary art exhibitions of the year. The choice of the date, symbolic for its association with joking and irony, reinforced the exhibition's intent to challenge convention and stimulate critical reflection on the art system.

The inclusion of my work GLI AMANTI DI PARMA (THE LOVERS OF PARMA), made by smearing my face with raw ham, in this art exhibition helped emphasize the importance of irony in contemporary art, offering an original and provocative interpretation.

1996. It was my first exhibition - a milestone in my artistic adventure. This art exhibition represents a fundamental moment in my journey, born almost by chance thanks to the solicitation of Rosanna Gaeta, owner of the bookstore "La Maria del Porto" in Trani.

The idea of organizing my own art exhibition was born when Rosanna, during a visit to my office, saw some of my graphic and photographic works on display and encouraged me to share them with a wider audience.

Despite the excitement and enthusiasm that had accompanied me in creating this exhibition, I was so overwhelmed with anxiety on the opening day that I did not show up for the opening event of my own exhibition.

However, the graphic and photographic works I exhibited were the result of deep artistic exploration, characterized by visually striking digital processing. I used strong color contrasts to underscore a journey in which human feelings emerge powerfully, highlighting their contrasting vitality.

This first exhibition was held in June 1996 at La Maria del Porto Gallery in Trani and marked the beginning of my journey into the world ofcontemporary art. The event not only allowed me to present my work to a wider audience, but also solidified my passion for art and the exploration of emotions through digital media.

2001. It was a very special experience. This photography exhibition with digital video installations was one of my most daring adventures. I decided to play with digital metamorphosis using large-format cybachrome and video graphics to create something truly unique.

I remember the excitement in preparing the set-up: everything was immersed in darkness, and visitors had to explore the works equipped only with a pocket lamp. I wanted the audience to discover the images slowly, with that subtle tension that comes when you don't know what's waiting for you in the next step.

The atmosphere was made even more intense by a hypnotic, haunting video that accompanied every movement, almost guiding your thoughts as you watched the works. Seeing people interact with this combination of light and shadow, of sound and image, was like letting them enter my world, if only for a moment.

This event was held in the RA Art Gallery in Terlizzi, a place I am particularly fond of because of its ability to welcomecontemporary art with an open spirit. It was an exhibition unlike any other, where I was able to fully express my interest in digital techniques and in exploring the boundaries between the visible and the invisible.

Video > https://youtu.be/0hNgr_VsZQU