Perugia, February 12-28.  The Lungarotti Foundation will soon host its annual oil lamp show. The exhibition, the 10th dedicated to these simple but magical objects, will take place from February 12^th to 28^th in the Sala Cannoniera of Perugia’s Renaissance “Rocca Paolina” (Pauline Fortress). The exhibition will offer a new interpretation of a concept that dates back to the beginning of time, spotlighting the work of a world-renowned sculptor, Bruno Ceccobelli.  He explains: “Majolica and porcelain give shape to sculptures, vases, dishes, and bricks, but also yield brakes for Ferraris, protective panels for the space shuttle, and ultra-sharp Japanese knives. Now I am making oil lamps from them, and am finding, in these anachronistic but legendary utensils, instinctive, ancient gestures that are simple and essential. And it’s all a wonderful treat: when the clay is fired it glows with colours, and by adding the medium of olive oil, which over the centuries has “anointed” the Mediterranean civilizations, I obtain “Lucifeste” (festival-lights). Not just simple, nostalgic everyday objects, but lively spirits, symbols of benign passions, poetic suspensions, divine affections. Daydreams for human beings with illuminated faces!”

People first used the fruit of the olive tree to provide oil for lamps. There is a green thread that winds through the history of humanity, a thread that begins by bringing light to the darkness of prehistoric times. Only later would oil be used in religion, medicine, cosmetics, sports, and – finally – nutrition. The permanent collection of Lungarotti’s Olive and Oil Museum of Torgiano displays this rich and varied world, dedicating much space to oil lamps; the oldest date to the 7^th century B.C. and the most recent to the Neoclassical period, when candles and more modern lighting systems replaced them. Lucifeste will also be on display in Torgiano from March 20^th to April 6^th to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Olive and Oil Museum.

For further Information:

MOO, Museo dell’Olivo e dell’Olio (Olive and Oil Museum)

Via Garibaldi, 10_06089  Torgiano (Perugia)

Ph.  +39 075 9880300, E-mail museoolio@lungarotti.it, www.lungarotti.it

Le Tre Vaselle

Via Garibaldi 48_06089  Torgiano (Perugia)

Ph. +39 075 9880447 www.3vaselle.it; E-mail  3vaselle@3vaselle.it