TEDx Talks - "Sikania rising project" | Laboratorio Saccardi | TEDxUniPa
The Saccardi Laboratory, represented by Marco and Vincenzo, discusses their artistic endeavors, emphasizing their fascination with medieval Sicilian art and its influence on their work. They describe a particular piece, an oil painting inspired by the 'Triumph of Death' and Picasso's 'Guernica', reflecting on the historical bombing of Palermo. Their work often incorporates themes from their cultural surroundings, such as the Sicilian Mafia and historical events, using art as a medium to explore these narratives. They have also worked on a project involving Sicilian carts, reimagining traditional iconography in a contemporary style, often in black and white, to comment on social issues like the Mafia. Their latest work, 'La Bestia', inspired by a book by Carlo Palermo, delves into the influence of America on Sicily and Italy, incorporating Masonic symbols and featuring a depiction of Matteo Messina Denaro. The discussion also touches on the musical aspect of Sicilian carts, which historically served as musical instruments, and the creation of songs inspired by this tradition.
Key Points:
- Saccardi Laboratory uses medieval Sicilian art as a primary influence, blending it with contemporary themes.
- Their work often addresses historical and cultural themes, such as the bombing of Palermo and the Sicilian Mafia.
- They have reimagined traditional Sicilian cart iconography in modern styles to comment on social issues.
- Their latest project, 'La Bestia', explores geopolitical influences on Sicily, incorporating Masonic symbols.
- Sicilian carts historically served as musical instruments, inspiring the creation of related songs.
Details:
1. 🎤 Introduction and Set-Up
- The speakers introduce themselves as Marco and Vincenzo from the Saccardi laboratory.
- They mention they will discuss a recent project in detail.
- A musical introduction is part of the setup, indicating a creative or artistic presentation.
2. 🎨 Medieval Sicilian Art Influence
- The segment emphasizes a fascination with Medieval Sicilian painting, especially the 'Triumph of Death' at Palazzo Abatellis.
- Picasso drew inspiration from Medieval Sicilian art, notably 'Triumph of Death,' for his work 'Guernica.'
- The work incorporates themes from Medieval Sicilian art, reflecting cultural and historical contexts.
- The piece is titled 'Bombardment of Palermo,' highlighting the historical bombing of the city and its cultural implications.
- The focus is on continuous reference to Medieval Sicilian art within a cultural and insular context.
- The 'Triumph of Death' is an iconic fresco that captures themes of mortality and chaos, which resonated with Picasso's depiction of war.
- Medieval Sicilian art's vivid storytelling and dramatic visuals influenced modern artists by providing a template for emotional expression through art.
- Picasso's 'Guernica' reflects the somber tones and poignant themes found in Medieval Sicilian art, bridging historical context with contemporary events.
3. 🖼️ The Sicilian Carrettos Project
- The project revitalizes the traditional art of Sicilian carts, originating in the 1800s, by incorporating contemporary reinterpretations and socio-political themes.
- One highlight is the creation of the first 'albino' Sicilian cart, using black and white to symbolize a modern take on traditional crafts.
- Artworks include depictions of historical massacres, integrating socio-political commentary into the traditional art form.
- The project serves as a bridge between historical epochs, providing a hyper-referential and modern reimagining of past traditions.
- The modern reinterpretations include black and white depictions, reflecting themes related to Mafia-related violence, thus connecting with socio-political issues.
4. 📚 The Beast and Carlo Palermo
- The work is inspired by the book 'The Beast' by Carlo Palermo, a magistrate who survived an assassination attempt.
- The book and artistic project focus on recounting the massacres in the Trapanese area, highlighting the influence of America on Sicilian history and culture.
- The artwork is co-produced by the region and the Maimeri Foundation, using chemically produced colors while retaining traditional Sicilian symbolic elements.
- A central figure in the artwork is Matteo Messina Denaro depicted as a paladin, painted months before his capture by the government.
- The historical Sicilian carts are emphasized for their cultural significance and storytelling tradition, linking them to broader historical narratives.
5. 🎭 Sicilian Heritage and Artistic Exploration
- The artwork includes a traditional Sicilian cart, specifically from the Trapanese Castelvetrano area, showcasing local symbols and the municipal logo.
- The artists not only paint traditional carts but also engage in urban art and installations, highlighting a diverse range of artistic expressions.
- They emphasize incorporating Sicilian cultural elements in their work to narrate and paint what they are most familiar with, reflecting their heritage and origins.
- The incorporation of urban art and installations signifies a modern twist, allowing them to reach broader audiences and engage with contemporary themes.
- Examples of their urban art include vibrant murals and interactive installations that incorporate traditional Sicilian motifs in new contexts.
6. 🎨 Artistic Process and Collaborations
- The artistic process involves re-evaluating and remodeling traditional iconography, drawing from 20th-century painting references, demonstrating a sophisticated approach beyond mere painting.
- A notable collaboration is with Gaspare Mutolo, a reformed mafia boss turned artist, showcasing the transformative power of art and his integration into projects as a curated artist for over a decade.
- Mutolo's journey from mafia involvement to redemption through art is a significant aspect of the collaboration, highlighting his personal transformation and the impact of art in societal change.
7. 🔍 Mysteries and Influences
7.1. Influence of Arab-Norman Style
7.2. Fusion of History and Myth
8. 🎶 Musical Heritage of Sicilian Carrettos
- Sicilian carrettos are unique musical instruments as the rhythm they create is used to command the donkey (scecca) or mule pulling them.
- The constant need for commands to these animals inspired a genre of songs by carrettieri, capturing the essence of Sicilian musical culture.
- These songs have been collected and sampled, providing a historical audio record of an archaic Sicilian singing style reminiscent of certain Arabic chants.
- The modern rendition of this traditional music, such as the song 'canto du pitture carrettieri,' continues to preserve this cultural heritage.
9. 🎵 Performance and Closure
- The segment involves a musical performance with instruments like the guitar, delivering a Sicilian-themed melody designed to evoke cultural or emotional resonance.
- A participatory element is present, indicating active audience engagement during the performance.
- Concluding applause signifies a positive reception from the audience, highlighting the performance's success.
- The performers conclude by drawing a parallel between their role and that of priests, suggesting a deeper cultural or spiritual message within their performance.