Councilor Chessa: “The exhibition enhances Sardinia through the works of the artist from Ulassai”
VATICAN CITY. «From today, the Vatican Library hosts some works by one of the greatest Sardinian artists, Maria Lai, who stands out for creativity and spirituality, for tradition and innovation. The project for the enhancement of the artist from Ulassai is part of the collaboration path on cultural-religious tourism activated by the Region with the Sardinian Bishops’ Conference. This segment of our tourist proposal is an integral part of the model centered on ‘slow and sustainable tourism’ and is oriented towards the enhancement of spiritual itineraries, paths, villages and pilgrimage destinations “. This was stated by the regional councilor for tourism, Gianni Chessa, during the presentation of the exhibition “The art of weaving freedom. Maria Lai meets the Vatican Apostolic Library “, which was held this morning (Friday 27) in the Sistine Hall of the Library (Bav), in the presence of the librarian of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, of the bishop of Lanusei and Nuoro, Monsignor Antonello Mura, of the curator of the Vatican Museums, Micol Forti, and of Don Giacomo Cardinali, commissioner of the exhibition hall of the Vatican Library.
The exhibition, which will remain open until next July 15 and is organized by Bav in collaboration with the Sardinia Region, the Diocese of Lanusei, the Maria Lai Archive and with the scientific contribution of the Vatican Museums, was set up with some works of the artist’s rich production dedicated to books made in different materials (bread, paper, ceramics, fabric and other artistic artefacts), exhibited in a dialogue with parts of the vast heritage of Bav.
“The design path offered by the exhibition allows us to bring out the deep and indissoluble bond between Maria Lai and her homeland – added the commissioner Chessa – Her art is shown in a broader cultural context and her works are compared to artifacts from all over the world, in a dialogue characterized by identity, tradition and a religious vein ».
«The international relevance offered by the exhibition in the Bav premises – highlighted the Councilor for Tourism – allows the image of Sardinia to be promoted not only through the exhibition, but also through the organization of other support actions. It will begin, in the second half of June, with an educational tour in the artist’s reference territories, with which Maria Lai had a social and cultural bond, which will be attended by specialized journalists and curators of the exhibition. An opportunity to make known, grasp and relaunch the value of the exhibition and its protagonist through the media ».
«The exhibition is an important opportunity to promote the identity and cultural aspects that most characterize the ‘Sardinia destination’ on the international scene. In particular, in the sector of the heritage of the island’s artistic craftsmanship, of which Maria Lai with her works, especially textiles, is one of the greatest exponents, a true ambassador of Sardinia all over the world “, concluded the exponent of the Giunta Solinas .