Segesta Archaeological Park hosts first contemporary art exhibition with Fondazione Merz

The Segesta Archaeological Park in Sicily has opened its first contemporary art exhibition, 'Nella natura come nella mente', curated by Beatrice Merz and Agata Polizzi for Fondazione Merz. Running from April 13 to November 6, 2022, the show features works by Mario Merz, Ignazio Mortellaro, and Costas Varotsos. Mario Merz's neon spirals 'Un segno nel Foro di Cesare' and 'Fibonacci Sequence' reference nature's essence through form and number. Mortellaro presents a tower topped with a ram's horn, accompanied by a custom ladder evoking ancient church or library stairs, and a sound piece by Gianni Gebbia. Varotsos contributes an iron and glass installation exploring light, transparency, energy, movement, time, and balance. The exhibition marks the first time contemporary art interventions have been placed within the archaeological site. Regional assessor Alberto Samonà noted that archaeological parks are becoming cultural hubs, while park director Rossella Giglio emphasized the dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity.