The unusual video installation entitled Monumenta comprises nine monumental, accessible tower constructions in the ancient ruins in the valley of temples of Agrigento in Sicily (Italy). The videos shown inside take up the views of the ancient philosopher Empedocles, who was thought to be the first to break down the world into the four forces of nature: fire, water, air and earth. Fabrizio Plessi’s nine temples – each one six metres high and designed to resemble a sacrificial altar near the Temple of Zeus – look like solid stone colossi, as if they were parts of the ruins in the temple area. However, inside, they come alive and dissolve into primary elements such as lava, rain, wind and thunderstorms.
“Plessi’s installation brings topics such as respect for the environment into clear focus and strives for a balance between man and nature in its presentation. His work of art in Sicily opens up a dialogue between the past and the future. By integrating his work into the great feats of constructions of antique civilization, he leads us to an entirely new complex of topics, ones never before discussed – the interplay between art and the modern world of renewable energies,” explains SiG Solar, which installed the solar panels located atop the towers. “Never before has an artist dared to close ranks between futuristic art and renewable energies”.
Monumenta can be seen until 5 November 2012, while the artist will be presenting his innovative artistic approach to a global audience of solar specialists at Intersolar on Thursday of this week at SiG Solar’s stand.
The video installation was also supported by the Contini art gallery, the Roma-Mediterraneo Foundation and the publishers, Il Cigno GG.
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