From the explosion of Pompeii, works at the Mann – Explosion Studio

February 21^st, 12pm
THE POMPEII AMPHITHEATRE – “EXPLOSION STUDIO”
A unique explosion event by artist Cai Guo-Qiang
leading to February 22^nd
 (Press Preview 4.30 pm)
 Opening of a solo exhibition at the MANN
“IN THE VOLCANO. Cai Guo-Qiang and Pompeii”
On view from FEBRUARY 22^nd to May 20^th 2019

 An explosion of gunpowder and color smoke in Pompeii’s Amphitheatre to relive the tragic and, at the same time, vital dynamics of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, in a timeless poetic journey telling the story of the destruction and rebirth of Pompeii.

It will be a unique explosion event by artist Cai Guo-Qiang, who will execute his Explosion Studio in the arena of the Amphitheatre at 1 PM on February 21^st. It will be an artistic explosion whose different phases will be a metaphor of not only the tragedy that devastated Pompeii but also its fortunate discovery, bringing to light exceptional historical moments and archaeological finds.

The event, co-host by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, will open with a welcome from the Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Alfonsina Russo, the Director of MANN, Paolo Giulierini, prof. Massimo Osanna, the art curator of the project Jérôme Neutres, and the artist Cai Guo-Qiang.

The works created from this explosion event will be immediately “excavated” and then transferred to the MANN (National Archaeological Museum of Naples) for the exhibition opening on February 22^nd at 6.30pm, until May 20^th, 2019. Spread throughout the museum (from the Farnese Collection to the frescoes section, from the atrium to the mosaic collection), Cai Quo-Qiang’s works will narrate the indissoluble link between past and present, and between Eastern and Western culture.

The explosion event at the Amphitheatre, open to the press and guests, will be fully documented. The documentary video will be available for public viewings at MANN.

With this double artistic engagement, artist Cai Guo-Qiang thus continues his work in Italy after the success of his firework performance in Florence (“Cai Guo-Qiang. City of Flowers in the Sky”) and the solo show “Flora Commedia alle Gallerie degli Uffizi”, running until February 17^th, 2019 as part of Cai Guo-Qiang’s broader project, “An individual’s Journey through Western Art history”.

Inside the Volcano  is made possible with special support of Morra Foundation.

For accreditation to the Amphitheatre of Pompeii event: pompei.ufficiostampa@beniculturali.it