Contemporary art enters into dialogue with the solemnity of the monumental complex of the Sanctuary of Oropa, not far from Biella, through the personal exhibition of Daniele Basso The folds of the soul, curated by Irene Finiguerra. From 2 July to 18 September 2022, visitors will find nine works, in a path that involves open spaces and other unconventional places, in an ideal itinerary where art and spirituality meet. In this exhibition, the artist investigates the hidden places of the human spirit, in particular through a series of monumental sculptures in hand-polished mirror steel, which create a visual and mental short circuit played on the contrast between the work and the space in which it is located. These are works that, due to their size, testify to the courage of the artist. The exhibition at the Sanctuary of Oropa.
At the entrance to the Sanctuary, located in the lower square, the visitor is greeted by Boogyeman (fear) who is faced by Ikaros (courage and aspiration to fly) positioned in turn in the square in front of the Upper Basilica: the clash at distance between these two works metaphorically represents the struggle between the weaknesses and aspirations of each one. It is the tool that nature has provided to humans to evolve, as each challenge leads beyond its limits, towards new levels of knowledge and consciousness. The two sculptures define and contain the entire itinerary of the exhibition as alpha and omega, the beginning and end of this journey.
The heart of the Sanctuary, the Ancient Basilica, houses on the altar of the chapel the blue statue of the Twisted Christ whose intense blue color prompts the public to question the faith.
Under the colonnade, towards the plain, the Achill falcon is a tribute to the mountain, which embraces the sanctuary with hardness and enchanting beauty, but at the same time takes on a shamanic value: the bird of prey expresses the power of vision, wisdom, protection and together with the personal and spiritual transition. It is no coincidence that the hawk has been a symbolic bird in many cultures: from ancient Egypt to the Indians of North America, who considered it a totem animal.
In the Library, a place for reading, meditation and study, the deliberately unfinished Frame works enter into a relationship with the observer forcing him to a process of abstraction and creative fantasy for a formal completion. They are a metaphor for that process of personal formation to which the study contributes to the creation of individual identity in relation to the collectivity, as social beings. Continuing in the royal rooms of the Museum of treasures, the Lion King work expresses royalty, dignity, power. But royalty is such only by giving space to the opinion of others, in search of wisdom.
In the sleeve of Sant’Eusebio, in front of the Ancient Basilica, the Blue Vierge work reinterprets the ex-voto in a contemporary key to express the powerful feeling of gratitude. An attitude of humility, affection, devotion to the Mother, but also a good practice, towards those who offer help and support in daily life. Due to its historical, architectural and naturalistic characteristics, the Sacro Monte di Oropoa was declared a Unesco heritage site in 2003. Places of undeniable charm and strong artistic and religious interest, the Sanctuary and the Black Madonna, like the entire Oropa basin, have always been a point of reference for the Biella area. The exhibition intends to enhance them also through the placement of the works in little known or visited points, testifying how contemporary art can be inserted even in apparently unlikely contexts: a real declaration of love by the artist for his own territory.
“For years I have been following the work of Daniele Basso and I have started several collaborations with him both for the anthological exhibition in Argenta, and on the occasion of the Fifth Coronation of the Madonna d’Oropa.”, Says the curator of the exhibition, Irene Finiguerra: “This exhibition it seems to me a good opportunity to let those who come to Oropa and Biella know about Basso’s artistic production, which he has received many appreciations in international contexts with emphasis on communication: I am thinking of his meeting with Bocelli and with companies of international prestige. I also believe that contemporary art integrates well in places of spirituality as has been the case in Biella in the Duomo for some time with the works exhibited for the Sia luce project, which I have been following since 2019. “
“It is an honor for me to be able to present my work in Biella, and even more so here in Oropa, a place of my heart, full of profound spirituality.”, Comments the artist Daniele Basso.
“To the proposal of the Rector Don Michele Berchi, pride was immediately added to joy and great enthusiasm, which fortunately first infected Dr. Ferraris with the CRB Foundation team, and then many other friends and sponsors, to whom I am deeply grateful, that made it possible in a very short time to give life to this extraordinary event. Which has also invaded Biella, in the most significant places dedicated to art and beauty, from the Museum of the Territory, to the Historic Palaces of Piazzo, with the patronage of the Municipality, the good being of the Mayor Claudio Corradino and the councilors Massimiliano Gaggino for Culture and Barbara Greggio at Unesco, but with a work also at the Government Palace, welcomed by His Excellency the Prefect Dr. Franca Tancredi… In short, a lot of work, but in excellent company! Helped by the careful curatorship of Irene Finiguerra, with the installations by Fabrizio Lava, who with this collaboration celebrates 30 years of E20Progetti… After Lajatico and piazza dei Priori in Volterra, an exhibition that is entirely focused on dialogue. The profound and often difficult dialogue with ourselves, with our aspirations and our fears. But also the dialogue of art with the places and the territory that hosts it. The dialogue of Oropa with Biella, united in the same event. And finally the uninterrupted dialogue of everyone, starting from the supporters of the event, up to the visitors, with the desire to go beyond the surface of things, right into the folds of the soul, towards the essence of life itself … Where better than Oropa to find ourselves! “
“As rector and on behalf of the Sanctuary, I express all my satisfaction to be able to host this exhibition of my friend Daniele Basso.”, Says the Rector of the Sanctuary of Oropa, Don Michele Berchi.
“The folds of the soul, curated by Irene Finiguerra, is actually more than an exhibition, it is a real artistic journey within Oropa. The idea fascinated me from the beginning: two long years of pandemic and now this war that bloody our Europe, have forced us several times to walk the path from fear to hope, and Oropa, in this journey, was fundamental. for all of us. In this Sanctuary, where pilgrims come to draw hope from Our Lady of Oropa, no one, like someone who has truly experienced fear of their own powerlessness, can understand how necessary it is for their souls. For this reason we are delighted and grateful to be able to open the gates of the Sanctuary to the works of an artist from Biella established all over the world who, with this exhibition, renews his ties with his territory and with this Sanctuary that I know is particularly dear to him ” .
“The Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation enthusiastically supports the exhibition“ The folds of the soul ”, the first important exhibition of the Biella artist Daniele Basso dedicated to the territory.”, Comments Franco Ferraris, President of the Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation. “Biella and Oropa will be united in the name of contemporary art and, given the importance of the event, Palazzo Gromo Losa will also host some unpublished works. An important occasion that will not fail to attract a large audience, thus enhancing the Sanctuary of Oropa as a tourist destination. “
The inauguration of the exhibition is set for Saturday 2 July at 5.30 pm and will be open to the public.
It will be held in the conference room of the Sanctuary of Oropa, with a subsequent visit to the exhibition in the presence of the artist and curator. Thanks to Relais Santo Stefano for the loan of the Ikaros work
cssantuario oropa, s.zo.
The folds of the soul, exhibition by Daniele Basso S Sanctuary of Oropa