Franco Troiani’s project is back after the pandemic-related two-year hiatus
SPOLIA 5 “Bestiario post/atomico” is the name of a project by Franco Troiani who, after the 2019 convention at the Spoleto Public Library and the preview of Jeffrey Isaac’s “Animal portraits” 1994-1996, resumes the schedule interrupted by the pandemic.
In this new edition 2022, itineraries are designated and organised to discover the numerous bestiaries scattered throughout the territory of the City of Spoleto (museums, churches and public places). Interventions or exhibitions mainly by artists and cultural operators working or passing through Umbria, with contemporary “post/atomic” works inspired by the symbologies of archaic, medieval and modern bestiaries in comparison with the numerous testimonies at the MuST- Science and Territory Museum, the National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto at the Rocca Albornoz, Palazzo Mauri, Palazzo Collicola, Diocesan Museum, National Archaeological Museum of Spoleto, State Archives, Cisam Foundation with its publications, ancient and modern ones in the “Carducci” City Library and in the works in Palazzo Collicola.
An investigation into the relationship between humans, animals and the environment over the centuries, post-atomic, post-human, hybrid, contaminated creatures, through exhibitions of works in painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, books and documents over two years, 2022-2023.
Conferences and debates with screenings of early 20th century films and videos on art, social issues, recent films on environmental issues and mountain depopulation. Rides in the Spoletan Valley along the original side road of the Consolare Flaminia (Camporoppolo – Beroide), visits to museums of rural civilisation, collections of 19th and 20th century agricultural equipment at important farms in the various hamlets of the Spoletan district. Documentation of “post/atomic” agricultural equipment, farms, livestock farms, riding stables, research into horse competitions and recent and past sporting activities in the area between the Martani and Serano mountains, Valnerina and the Umbrian Apennine ridge.
The first itinerary is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2022, a journey starting from the bas-reliefs of the Basilica of St. Peter by the Spoleto southern access to town, continuing to the Complex of San Carlo Borromeo, Porta Monterone – church Madonna del Pozzo (installation Dituri- Manetti), Piazza Carducci, Palazzo Toni (IIS “Sansi Leonardi Volta”), to end at Palazzo Collicola with a visit to the exhibition “Fragments of a theatrical journey” / Tribute to the workers and photographers of the Festival Of Two Worlds / Costumes, scenic elements and archive photographs, curated by Piero Maccarinelli, last day of the exhibition. Palazzo Collicola, entrance (free), Via Loreto Vittori.
“On the occasion of the extraordinary evening opening of state museums on 14 May, the Rocca Albornoz – National Museum of the Duchy and the National Archaeological Museum and Roman Theatre of Spoleto – said directors Paola Mercurelli Salari and Silvia Casciarri – will host one of the various itineraries designed for the event “SPOLIA 5 – BESTIARIO Post/atomico” SPOLETO 2022 curated by Franco Troiani. The itinerary of 14 May will be dedicated to and inspired by painted and/or sculpted animals present in the works and artefacts of the two museums, flanked by works by contemporary artists inspired by the various symbologies of ancient and medieval bestiaries in showcases and exhibition routes, an itinerary that will start from the Rocca and end in the rooms of the Archaeological Museum with dedicated guided tours”.
