Per Barclay loves Palermo, its contradictions, as well as its fascinating and decadent architecture. He's particularly attracted by the strong contrasts that are specific to the city. When he visited the rooms of the Cavallerizza, he was seduced by its architecture, by the beauty of its spaces and its history. The contrast between the pre-existing architecture of the surrounding context, the materials used and the shapes instinctively led Barclay to consider the idea of working on the harmony, inundating the room with oil in order to reflect the narrative power of this historical palace, thus overturning its meaning and perception. The gap between an idea and its expression is narrow, and is preceded by the exact perception of a new visionary work of “inundation” flowing both in the architectural environment and in mind and spirit, where the art multiplies itself, where past and present exchange their characteristics and become one single powerful reflection of the artist's brilliant creativity.
In his extraordinary defense of the arts, Cesare Brandi said that the works of art enshrine both an aesthetical polarity and a historical polarity, which together determine the specific weight of the work of art. The installation was available until July 31st. As per September 8, it will be replaced by an exposition that will include not only the pictures taken on this occasion but also a selection of Per Barclay's historical works. It can be visited until November 4, which is the closing date of MANIFESTA12.

Opening: Saturday, September 8th, 2018 from 12 a.m.

mpefm ITALY art press release