heretical words
friar giovanni moglio da montalcino (1500-1553)
a journey through history, the area of Montalcino and contemporary art

There are times when the course of history finds itself at the crossroads between dramatically opposing and opposite directions, just as there are people who are remembered as “losers” because history did not go the way they intended and pursued. One of these people is Giovanni Moglio, a Franciscan preacher from Montalcino who lived in the sixteenth century during the Renaissance and the Reformation.

In collaboration with the Giovanni Moglio Research Centre and under the patronage of the Municipality of Montalcino, the Permanent School of Living presents “Heretical Words”, an exhibition set up in different parts of the historic centre of the town, which aims to let people know about Giovanni Moglio, a wise and visionary Franciscan preacher who was condemned as a heretic by the Church and sent to the stake in Campo de’ Fiori in 1553. His story offers an opportunity for reflection on ever topical issues, such as religious tolerance and respect for freedom of opinion. A multimedia, multifaceted and experimental journey through history, art and the area of Montalcino that combines an accurate reconstruction with creative momentum while following two main narratives: one aimed at historical reconstruction, the other at free artistic interpretation.

Historical narrative

Historical town hall
Giovanni Moglio’s life is reconstructed through a series of summary panels, a video and an exhibition of original documents and texts. The exhibition is coordinated by Michele Camaioni, Leandro Conte, Annibale Parisi and Irene Sbrilli with artistic contributions from Emo Formichi, Pier Luigi Olla, Carlotta Parisi, Piero Sbarluzzi, Francesco del Casino and Francesco Faralli.

Artistic narrative

Complex of Saint Augustine, OCRA cloister
The winning works of the OCRA Artist Contest Heretic Works | Discordant Art, where artists from all over the world have developed the themes of heresy and faith while proposing their own personal vision, are on display in the Complex of Saint Augustine.

Church of Saint Augustine
The restored church of Saint Augustine provides a mystical setting for an audio with words taken from the theatre workshop “FerMenti in scena” by Manfredi Rutelli on the theme of heresy in art that involves visitors and makes them enjoy a special sensory and emotional experience.

Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo, the heart of Montalcino’s life, is the centre of the event and will host an installation by Annibale Parisi and Edoardo Milesi that represents, in a visionary way, the court of the Roman Inquisition and the stake in Campo de’ Fiori where Moglio’s lifeless body was burnt on 4 September 1553 after he refused to abjure and was hanged. The background to the evocative setting is another work of great emotional impact and historical interest which was designed to create a contrast between the dark and oppressive atmosphere of the scene of the conviction and the stake reproduced in the square, and the timeless harmony of the surroundings of Montalcino. Inside the ancient loggia, now walled up, a series of photographs will show the breath-taking view that once could be enjoyed from the square and that was then blocked by improvident architectural changes. A window overlooking the past, but also a tribute to Val d’Orcia and the beauty of its landscape.

Church of Saint Francis
Three large canvases will be put on display in the church of Saint Francis, where visitors can admire a Pietà on canvas from 1600 highlighted by a beam of light. The three canvases reproduce a work by Annibale Carracci and two topical photos related to the theme of piety. The music by Marco Del Bigo will increase the visitors’ emotional involvement.

PROGRAMME

Saturday 01 September 2018 | Inauguration

4:30 p.m. Gathering in Piazza del Popolo in Montalcino

5:00 p.m. Guided tour of the four places where the event takes place

6:30 p.m. Theatre reading by Davide Riondino at Piazza del Popolo

9:00 p.m. Theatre show by the theatre workshop FerMenti in Scena

From Saturday 01 to Monday 03 September | OCRA artist contest voting

From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. visitors can vote for the works exhibited at the cloister of OCRA Montalcino on the occasion of the OCRA Artist Contest Heretic Works, Discordant Art.

The two works that receive the most votes win the “Citizenship Award”.

From Saturday 01 to Monday 20 September

Installation in Piazza del Popolo

From Saturday 01 to Sunday 30 September

Installations in the historical town hall, the Complex of Saint Augustine, the Church of Saint Augustine and the Church of Saint Francis in Montalcino.