Now in its tenth edition, the Pausilypon: Suggestions at Dusk exhibition, curated by the Gaiola Interdisciplinary Studies Center Onlus, with artistic direction by Serena Improta.
Together with the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Municipality of Naples, the event increasingly represents a virtuous example of how art and culture can contribute to the maintenance and care of cultural heritage. The aim is in fact to turn the spotlight on one of the most important archaeological and naturalistic sites of the City of Naples, raising funds for the protection and maintenance of the area. In fact, the risk of closing the Grotta di Seiano to the public, and therefore of the entire archaeological park, was recently averted, as the emergency anti-blackout electrical system of the Grotta was found to be malfunctioning, and the CSI Gaiola immediately took steps to have the system restored and brought up to standard. A few weeks earlier, however, the complete reconstruction of the wooden planking covering the orchestra and natatio of the Teatro grande had been financed, which by now was dilapidated and made the ancient theatre unusable. The same thing had been done the previous year through the Odeion Project which allowed the reconstruction of the seats and wooden stage of the Theatrum tectum of the archaeological complex, unusable since 2012. Still in progress is the Calidarium Project which has brought to light the ancient calidarium of the Pausilypon thermal complex, also allowing the start of new studies and research activities which are opening up new scenarios on the archaeological knowledge of the site.
All projects are carried out following the indications and priorities dictated by the Archaeological Superintendency. “There are many research and recovery projects that could be activated – says Maurizio Simeone, president of CSI Gaiola onlus – allowing to also expand the visit routes of the site, but unfortunately it is often necessary to divert resources towards contingent problems of ordinary maintenance and services to guarantee the use and opening to the public of the site as happened recently with the electrical system or the rental of chemical toilets to make up for the lack of toilets on the site during periods of greatest influx. For this reason, the contribution of citizens is absolutely essential, who by participating in the Review and coming to visit the site give their contribution to the maintenance of the site itself.”
“An important role – continued Simeone – is played by the patrons who support the event such as Ferrarelle, this year's main sponsor, but also by the catering and small producers of Campanian wines, expertly selected by AgerCampanus, who by offering the tasting and the buffet at their own expense allow us to reduce costs and divert more resources to maintenance works”.
“The “Pausilypon: Suggestions at Dusk” Festival – states the artistic director – was born in this extraordinary place that we owe to an enlightened culture, which still considered theater and the arts in general as the foundations of an advanced civilization. It is in this space that we entered with gratitude, respect, and reverence to rediscover these principles, I would say, sacred, from when man acted in harmony with the environment that surrounded him and felt inextricably part of it. So the CSI Gaiola Onlus started this festival, with the utmost respect for the place, ensuring that we were the ones who had to adapt to it, which is not so difficult considering the naturally perfect acoustics, the extraordinary scenography and the absolutely inimitable natural lighting. For the third evening of the Festival, “Vento d'etere” arrives, or sound in space. It is the search for the impalpable moment in which the idea turns into sound and then vanishes. Ingar Zach, an internationally renowned Norwegian percussionist, who came to the attention of international critics in 2000 for his valuable collaboration with Derek Bailey, has cultivated a brilliant career in contemporary and improvisational music that has taken him around the world.
EDITORIAL TEAM
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