gloWings is an artistic installation in a room full of symbolism connected to the small town it is in.The medieval tower in the old town’s heart was used mainly because of its much desired view of the Tiber, allowing it to alert the neighboring towns, the closest one being 10km away, with bonfires about the arrival of enemy invaders. But aside from this it was also known for sending pigeons; important news could be received faster like this rather than using other conventional methods of the time.
The main function of the tower is then to send messages, and that is also the aim of our exhibition: to send a message; to inform everyone that Civitella d’Agliano is a place worth seeing. Artists or designers will find the peaceful silence, inspiration, and tools to develop their work. Not to mention a love for wine, because without doubt they will get to know Grechetto di Civitella d’Agliano - Latour. At the same time they will contribute to the revitalization of this small Italian town, which nowadays amounts to only one thousand inhabitants.
In our exhibition the glow represents the fire and the stringed ball the combustible. Some birds have characteristic symbols of the landscapes hanging from their wings that want to extend the message far and wide.
The initial intention of the exhibition was to be temporary, however, due to its success, the presentation it will remain a permanent display by request of the organizer. In this same locale gloWings will coexist with other old exhibitions.
[Text revision: Karl Stocker, Stephen Nash Kennedy, Adam Kurosz]
125 white paper sheets, cut into random sized squares, around 200m of non glowing cotton string, a youtube video tutorial “origami folding,” a device for making holes (for the hanging), patience for doing the same thing 125 times, and not being afraid of heights and dark places- this is all you might need for realizing this part of the installation. For the wooden symbols you would need: 2 sheets of 2,5mm balsa veneer, a cutter, a glowing paste for the edges and last, but not less important - precision. Of course, and around 10 hours for folding the birds, 1h for making the holes in each one of them, around 6 hours for connecting the birds with the strings and hanging them and designing and cutting the symbols - 5 hours.
If we want to get the clear impression that the birds fly away from the ball, then we need a high ceiling. Our birds could reach the height of four stages, which is more than enough
Let all the senses play
To make the experience more complete and powerful during the exhibition the song of the Norwegian duo Röyksopp, “Röyksopp forever,” is played in a loop. This electronic music track suits the exhibition perfectly, transporting you to an unexpected world of magic and fantasy. In an algid moment of the song, when the tone and the intensity of the music gets to its pinnacle, a huge cascade of small paper pieces are thrown from the top of the tower, falling slowly while provoking an indescribable feeling. The reaction of the visitors is extraordinary to witness
In the entrance of the exhibition, still under normal light, the visitors were given the suggestion by a small text in Italian to take a string. Later, under UV light, they could create their own glowing designs, hang them everywhere, and use it as body jewelry or any playful solution that it occurs them..
- Thank you! -
