A PSYCHEDELIC JOURNEY THROUGH PALERMO’S LIBERTY STYLE
Art Project And Content Of Dario Denso Andriolo
Palermo Liberty – The Golden Age | Fondazione Sant’Elia
Palazzo Sant’Elia | 01.02.2024 / 30.05.2024
The immersive installation, curated by Designer Prof. Dario Denso Andriolo, is the result of the dedication and creativity of the study group consisting of Beatrice Burgio, Riccardo Balistreri, Gabriele Taormina, Luca Cardinale, Noemy Restivo, Jennifer Carlotta Salerno, and Martina Vaccarino.
A video installation that, like a sculpture of light, envelops the space, immersing the viewer in a pervasive, hypnotic, and emotional sensory dimension.
Andriolo’s work draws its emotional impact from the tortures and miraculous healings of Saint Mercury, blending legends of the past with contemporary themes in a highly magnetic perceptual experience.
The immersive installation serves as an extraordinary tribute to the art of Salvatore Gregorietti, a versatile artist who played a crucial role during the golden years of Palermo’s Liberty style. Using the artist’s original sketches and designs, the walls come alive through projections that transform the space into a captivating kaleidoscopic motif.
Gregorietti, initially guided toward an ecclesiastical career by his father, embraced his artistic vocation with great versatility. His work spans from magnificent stained glass windows to the decorations of opulent noble palaces, showcasing his skill in merging Liberty aesthetics with the richness of Palermo’s local tradition. This installation honors the artist, and its realization has been made possible by the invaluable contribution of the artist’s grandchildren, Livia and Salvatore Gregorietti. They provided original sketches and designs, enabling the creation of an installation that not only celebrates the artist but also reveals intimate details of his creative practice.
This approach offers a unique perspective on Gregorietti’s creative mind, highlighting his mastery in interpreting and reinventing the artistic elements of his time. The immersive experience provides viewers with a journey through the artist’s diversity and versatility, immersing them in a psychedelic dimension that transcends conventional boundaries of artistic observation.
The video installation is part of the exhibition “Palermo Liberty – The Golden Age,” set in the magnificent rooms of the imposing Palazzo Sant’Elia. This work offers a contemporary view of an irreplaceable era, represented by the flourishing of the Liberty style in Palermo, showcasing the charm and innovation of that period.
