Casa Balat: An Artist Commune Rises in Sicily's Unesco Countryside
Ignazio Mortellaro, a 1978-born artist from Palermo, has unveiled Casa Balat, a creative hub for interdisciplinary artists located in Testa dell'Acqua, between Noto and Palazzolo Acreide. As an architect, Mortellaro designed an eco-friendly residence utilizing geothermal and solar technology. His artistic creations reflect the relationship between nature and humanity. He founded Oblivious Artefacts in 2008, with branches in Palermo, Rome, and Berlin. Alongside his brother, Luca, he refurbished an ancient house near Castelluccio, recognized as a significant prehistoric location. The opening exhibition, "Quando non aveva nome il Cielo," showcases various artists and is backed by several galleries.
Key facts
- Ignazio Mortellaro founded Casa Balat in Testa dell'Acqua, between Noto and Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily.
- The house uses geothermal and solar energy for sustainability.
- Mortellaro founded the collective Oblivious Artefacts in 2008, active in Palermo, Rome, and Berlin.
- Luca Mortellaro, Ignazio's brother, is a Berlin-based electronic musician practicing Sound Bath meditation.
- The restored house is near Castelluccio, the oldest prehistoric human settlement in Sicily, recognized by Paolo Orsi and Bernabò Brea.
- The inaugural exhibition is titled 'Quando non aveva nome il Cielo / When The Sky Had No Name'.
- The exhibition includes works by 18 artists/collectives from Galleria Pantaleone and Galleria Laveronica.
- The exhibition title is from a 7th-century BCE cosmological text of King Ashurbanipal.
Entities
Artists
- Ignazio Mortellaro
- Luca Mortellaro
- Stefano Arienti
- Per Barclay
- Francesco De Grandi
- Flavio Favelli
- Stefania Galegati
- Igor Grubic
- Alejandra Hernández
- John Kleckner
- Loredana Longo
- Domenico Mangano
- Marieke van Rooy
- John Maybury
- Arthur Gillet
- Eva Marisaldi
- Concetta Modica
- Liliana Moro
- Moira Ricci
- Davide Bramante
- Paolo Orsi
- Bernabò Brea
- Mercedes Auteri
Institutions
- Casa Balat
- Oblivious Artefacts
- Galleria Pantaleone
- Galleria Laveronica
- Artribune
Locations
- Testa dell'Acqua
- Noto
- Palazzolo Acreide
- Siracusa
- Sicily
- Italy
- Palermo
- Rome
- Berlin
- Germany
- Castelluccio
- Modica
- Milan