in the Church of Santa Maria delle Rose, Assisi, Italy
With the patronage of the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of San Rufino, the City Council of Assisi, the Region of
Umbria and Province of Perugia.
On concession by the diocesan Cultural Commission of Assisi, Nocera Umbra e Gualdo Tadino.
MARIA is an exhibition of the sculptural sacred artwork of Italian artist Guido Dettoni della Grazia. After visiting
several cathedrals and churches in Europe, since January 2002 it has been permanently installed in the 16th Century
Church of Santa Maria delle Rose in Assisi, Italy.
This installation is based on the hand-sized sculpture he first shaped in wax and then reproduced in 33 (Christ’s years
on the earth) types of wood from all over the world. Along with a marble enlargement and its smaller version that
disappears within our hand, his image represents the Mother of Jesus.
We are invited to be fully involved by touching, smelling, looking closely and feeling the shape and its subtleties.
Visitors enter an Alpha-Omega formation, conceived by this artist, where they are surrounded, forest-like, by the
sculptures. We are accompanied by especially composed music and the fragrance of the trees of Mallorca, where the story
of MARIA first began in 1995.
Each of the wooden sculptures is presented in its own glass cylinder planted in a transparent container full of soil,
shaped as the Omega. Overhead, directing the light, we see a structure containing the Alpha.
When this image of MARIA is viewed from different angles one can distinguish significant moments of her life;
genuflecting as she receives the Annunciation, carrying the pitcher to the well, expecting, Mother and Child, and
finally, seen from a horizontal perspective, she becomes the Dove of Peace.
Through sensory awakening, we can really feel Mary as part of our own memory and intimate experiences. Holding the shape
we also feel as if we are being held, and this experience moves straight from our hands to our hearts.
Entrance to MARIA in Santa Maria delle Rose is free and open everyday.
Further information and photos: www.nesher.org
Organisation responsible for event –
NESHER Cultural Association
Via Santa Maria delle Rose, 10
06081 Assisi (PG) Italy
Fax +39 075 813437
assisi@nesher.org
Rosa Maria Falvo
Communications