Manifesta 12 in Palermo: Sacred Painting vs. Profane Light Installation

The 12th edition of Manifesta in Palermo has been criticized for an imbalance between the power of its exhibition venues and the fragility of many works, which fail to match the city's overwhelming beauty. Notable exceptions include Francesco De Grandi's solo show 'Come Creatura' at RizzutoGallery, featuring large-scale oil paintings that engage with religious themes and Palermitan imagery. The exhibition opened on September 15, 2018, coinciding with Pope Francis's visit for the 25th anniversary of Padre Pino Puglisi's beatification. In contrast, a collateral event by Fabrizio Cicero, titled 'Aichnim' ('minchia' spelled backwards), consists of a suspended light installation reading 'minchia' (a Sicilian vulgarity) in Via Alloro. The work has sparked controversy, with city councilor Sabrina Figuccia (Forza Italia) demanding access to documents to investigate public funding, though collateral events were self-financed. The article contrasts De Grandi's monumental painting with Cicero's pop provocation, highlighting the tension between sacred art and irreverent street culture. Other notable works include Masbedo's video installation at the Archivio di Stato and Massimo Bartolini's light piece at Palazzo Oneto.