Palermo's Hidden Treasures Shown Alongside Contemporary Art at Palazzo Abatellis

The ninth edition of Planeta Viaggio in Sicilia, a project by Planeta in collaboration with the Sicilian Region's Department of Cultural Heritage, culminates in the exhibition "Coppe di stelle nel cerchio del sole" at Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo. Four contemporary artists—Bea Bonafini (born 1990, Bonn), Gili Lavy (born 1987, Jerusalem), Emiliano Maggi (born 1977, Rome), and Diego Miguel Mirabella (born 1988, Enna)—created ten works inspired by the island. Bonafini contributed the tapestry "Il Trionfo"; Lavy produced the sound piece "Journey XII" with musician Jacopo Salvatori; Maggi presents three ceramic and bronze sculptures referencing verses by Arab-Sicilian poet al-Ballanūbī; Mirabella created an installation with fabrics and painting on wood accompanied by a mosaic, made with Moroccan artisans. A text by Chiara Barzini (born 1979, Rome) and photographs by Matteo Buonomo (born 1991, Cinisello Balsamo) are also included. These contemporary works are juxtaposed with ten previously unseen objects from Palazzo Abatellis's storerooms, some restored with Planeta's support and shown for the first time. The exhibition runs until July 17 and opened with a sound performance by Emiliano Maggi in costume before the "Trionfo della Morte" fresco.