the hidden fabric
the hidden city, collateral event of manifesta 12, palazzo abatellis, Palermo, 2018
Palazzo Abatellis is a palace in Palermo, Sicily, home to the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia. Originally built in the 15th century, the gallery was redesigned by architect Carlo Scarpa in 1953 to showcase masterpieces from around the region. The Hidden City endeavoured to shine new light on the Palazzo and its surrounding area by selecting a group of artists, curators and architects to make a series of books, responding to details of the building and its collections. Made in collaboration with curator Benedetta d’Ettorre, The Hidden Fabric presents a contemporary view of the Palazzo and modern Palermo. The artist book explores details of the city, taking inspiration from Scarpa’s unique approach to image processing, and the cross cultural transfer that took place in the courts of the Norman King, Roger II, through their use of Arabic inscriptions.
10th - 16th September 2018
Palazzo Abatellis is a palace in Palermo, Sicily, home to the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia. Originally built in the 15th century, architect Carlo Scarpa redesigned the gallery in 1953 to showcase masterpieces from around the region. The Hidden City endeavoured to shine new light on the Palazzo and its surrounding area by selecting a group of artists, curators and architects to make a series of books, responding to details of the building and its collections, set by curator Cloe Piccoli and artist Stefano Graziani. Made in collaboration with curator Benedetta d’Ettorre, The Hidden Fabric presents a contemporary view of the Palazzo and modern Palermo. The artist book explores details of the city, taking inspiration from Scarpa’s unique approach to image processing and the cross-cultural transfer that took place in the courts of the Norman King, Roger II, through their use of Arabic inscriptions. The full text of the 20 page, A4 book can be read here.
The book was created through a series of connections seen in the palazzo's colours, shapes and textures and on the streets directly outside. Carlo Scarpa used his sensitivity to colour and materials to present old pieces in a new light, drawing from elements in the collection and highlighting their beauty. In this book, the discarded objects of Palermo’s city streets are transformed in a similar way. Scenes similar to that of the palazzo are created through playful interaction with these objects, presenting a new way of seeing what is already there. The potential of the city streets comes alive through the use of an interactive imagination.
Thank you to Angelo Di Garbo for his work as an artist and his dedication to the Palazzo as artist and educator, and Francesco and Luca for their hospitality.