This exhibition marks a significant moment in the career of the artist, known for his ability to blend ancient and contemporary elements into works of strong visual and symbolic impact.
A dialogue between ancient and contemporary
The exhibition presents the public with thirty unique works created specifically for this occasion, using diverse materials such as railway tarpaulins, ancient fabrics, wood, and paper. Among the exhibited works, a site-specific installation stands out, designed to interact with one of the museum’s most famous artifacts: the sculptural complexes from the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina. This interaction between Pignatelli’s works and the ancient sculptures creates a profound resonance between past and present, emphasizing the inseparable bond between history and art.
Immersion in myth and the Mediterranean
Accompanied by an introductory essay by Florian Knauß and a critical essay by Corina Thierolf, the exhibition immerses figures of classical mythology in an abyss of cobalt blue and emerald green, symbolically evoking the waters of the Mediterranean. This chromatic choice not only pays homage to the historical and geographical roots of the myth but also transports the visitor into a timeless dimension where the boundary between ancient and contemporary art dissolves, creating a unique and immersive experience.
Mystery and history in the words of Corinna Thierolf
Pignatelli’s deep connection with the museum’s collection is explored in Corinna Thierolf’s words, highlighting how the artist seeks to unveil the mystery of ancient works through his art: “Pignatelli rather tries to discover something of the mysteriousness of these works, which have been repeatedly recontextualized from the distant past to the present day. What inspires him is precisely to connect this mystery, almost impossible to unravel in its multiple facets, with the mystery of his own existence. In this way, he directly connects to History, creates awareness of the transience of the present, and, at the same time, creates something new, works that form a bridge between past and present, for the benefit of a broader audience.”
Cover photo: © Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek München, Michael Detter