Residency Group Exhibition: Mad for Naples

Dates: September 3 to 13, 2021
Venue: Castel dell'Ovo, Naples, Italy



Two works of Fu Wenjun with the inspiration from Naples show at the exhibition Mad for Naples, from September 3 to 13 at Castel dell'Ovo in Naples, Italy. The event is supported by Assessorato all’Istruzione, alla Cultura e al Turismo di Napoli.



The exhibition is the closing event of the residency program Mad for Naples lasting from 2018 to 2021. Twenty artists around the world were invited to participate and create during their residency in Naples, providing diverse interpretations of the city Naples, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, and exploring the themes of nature and geography, ancient civilizations, cultural diversity, and human creativity.



Flowing Magma



Re-reading of Art History, A Baker and His Wife, Pompeii, 1st century AD

Inspired by them, Fu Wenjun created two works: Flowing Magma and Re-reading of Art History, A Baker and His Wife, Pompeii, 1st century AD. He says, I’d like to describe Naples as a “song of ice and fire”: the passionate Vesuvius vs. the azure and quiet Naples Bay, Pompeii that was destroyed instantly vs. people’s continuous living on this land, the splendid ancient history vs. a slightly chaotic modern city… It’s surprising to me, as an outcoming observer, that so many incredible things coexist harmoniously in this wonderful place. I was impressed and inspired by Naples: the human being is so great, and also so small; the life is so strong, and also so fragile. This is one of the most beautiful songs repeating and repeating in the universe.



The venue Castel dell'Ovo echoes with the exhibition. As one of the landmarks of Naples, the Castel dell'Ovo has a history of more than two thousand years, with an origin of its name related to the ancient Roman poet Virgil. In the Castel, people can enjoy the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the distance.