July 22 – “Working in Lisbon? I cannot wait! Getting on a plane (in this case to Portugal) to do an unknown job, running the (calculated) risk of running out of time because I know that a small miracle always happens. I can’t wait to be in the Travessa da Ermida, happy. For now, I’m just happy to see the words ‘Mistério Napolitano’ on it.” These are the words of sculptor Giancarlo Neri, best known for his work “Lo Scrittore” (a 9 meters high desk and chair) and the installation “Massimo Silenzio” (a carpet made of approximately 10000 spherical lamps displayed during the Notte Bianca in Rome in 2007 at Circo Massimo). The Neapolitan artist born in 1955 dedicated years to the creation of site-specific installations in the U.S., South America and Europe, and is now working to impress the Portuguese audience. The installation “Mistério Napolitano” – promoted by Projecto Travessa da Ermida with the support of the Italian Institute of Culture in Lisbon – will open on Saturday, July 26 at 9pm in Travessa da Ermida (Travessa Marta Pinto, 21) where it will remain open to the public until October 26. “Mistério Napolitano”- as stated on the website of the Projecto Travessa da Ermida – is a tribute to the Lotto game, which has existed in Italy since the 15th century, and in Naples since 1682. The city is considered the “capital” of Lotto and Neri intends to pay homage to the game: “It’s seen as a collective obsession made of dreams, magic, superstition, and, above all, the hope of winning money. I never bet money on Lotto – said the sculptor – but today “Mistério Napolitano” in Lisbon is my tribute to the golden world of dreamers from my hometown.”
