Fabrice de Nola's 'Genius loci' Explores Palermo's Tutelary Deity Through Augmented Reality

Fabrice de Nola's exhibition 'Genius loci. Dentro e oltre il racconto' is on view at Palazzo Ajutamicristo in Palermo as part of the seventh edition of I-Design, a collateral event of Manifesta 12 and Palermo Italian Capital of Culture. Curated by Desirée Maida, the show examines the concept of 'beyond borders' through de Nola's work, which combines traditional painting with QR codes and augmented reality. The artist, an Italian-Belgian cosmopolite who has lived in Palermo since 2010, focuses on the city's tutelary deity, the Genius, a figure embodying complex political, religious, and social symbolism. His painting 'Palermo' (2010) features a large QR code linking to a Wikipedia page written by the artist about the Genius. The installation 'Motore immobile' juxtaposes the pagan Genius and Christian Saint Rosalia through their attributes—a serpent and a skull—each connected to a QR code. Maida notes that de Nola's research will culminate in 'Collectio Panormi', an online archive still under development that will compile the city's history. The exhibition is part of I-Design's theme 'Beyond borders', linking to Manifesta's exploration of geopolitical dynamics.