edoardo tresoldi resurrects archeological remains in puglia using wire mesh

edoardo tresoldi resurrects archeological remains in puglia using wire mesh
all images © blind eye factory

in the southern italian region of puglia, the historic park of siponto is known as a site of great archaeological significance. abandoned after earthquakes in the 13th century, the area formerly assumed the role as one of the principal harbors in the region. alongside several artifacts emblematic of apulian-romanesque architecture, the land hosts the ancient remains of an early christian basilica, illustrating the town’s role as one of the most important dioceses in the region.

the installation is located in the archaeological park of siponto in puglia 

on the site of this early church, italian artist edoardo tresoldi has constructed a monumental wire mesh installation that simulates the ancient town’s architectural quality. the sculpture, titled ‘basilica di siponto’, occupies the vast space as a light and transparent volume, resurrecting the archaeological remains as a sculptural form for visitors to experience and explore. layers of mesh metal intersect and overlap to form cavernous archways, soaring columns and a romanesque roof.  

together with MiBACT (the ministry of cultural heritage and activities) and the archaeology superintendence of puglia, tresoldi has added his contemporary artwork to the archaeological context, giving new life to the ancient church.

a monumental wire mesh installation simulates the town’s architectural language 

‘the work of edoardo tresoldi appears as a majestic architectural sculpture that tells the volume of the existing early christian church and, at the same time, is able to vivify, and update the relationship between the ancient and the contemporary,’ curator simone pallotta says. ‘it is a work that, breaking up the secular controversy of the primacy arts, summarizes two complementary languages ​​into a single, breathtaking scenery.’

the sculptural work is built on the remains of an early christian church

the installation brings together contemporary and ancient influences  

light and transparent mesh sheets allow visitors to observe the surrounding landscape 

each of the metal pieces has been sculpted to create an architectural form 

by night, the phantom architectural installation is illuminated 

‘basilica di siponto’ occupies the vast space as a light and transparent volume

the artist has added a contemporary artwork to the archaeological context

the installation seeks to give new life to the ancient church

layers of sculpted mesh form an architectural outline within the vast space 

mesh figures are integrated into the sculptural landscape 

soaring columns are made from the sculptural material 

the installation becomes an almost ghost-like monument to the original structure 

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