Quantum Man: exhibition at Sicily’s Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park

The stunningly preserved Ancient Greek architecture at the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park in Sicily has welcomed the addition of 13 contemporary sculptures as part of an outdoor exhibition titled Quantum Man: There Is No Future Without Memory.

The gravity-defying sculptures are the works of Venice-born artist Gianfranco Meggiato, who drew inspiration from the schools of ancient philosophy and quantum science.

Juxtaposed against the backdrop of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are intended to spark a dialogue across space and time with the mythological context of the temples and their gods.

Franco Ferraina Visitors in front of Uomo Quanitcom (Quantum Man). It is one of Meggiato’s newest creations. Situated in front of the Temple of Concordia, it is formed of painted aluminium-magnesium-casting and stainless steel spheres, and measures 5 metres in height. Image: Gianfranco Meggiato / Parco Valle dei Templi Agrigento.

The Valley of the Temples was first excavated 100 years ago in 1921 by British archaeologist Alexander Hardcastle. As the site’s lead financier and archaeologist, he was responsible for exploring and researching many of the Park’s remarkable Hellenistic structures.

Hardcastle was made an honorary citizen of the city of Agrigento and granted the rank of Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy. However, he met a tragic end. Devastated by the financial crisis in 1929, he died penniless in an asylum.

‘When I heard of the sad fate of Sir Alexander Hardcastle – an English archaeologist by now almost forgotten and ignored by most – and realised that 2021 would be the centenary of his commencing work in the Valley, I felt moved to find a way to honour him and restore his reputation, since it was in large part thanks to his passion and generosity that the Valley of Temples came to life a second time and became the UNESCO World Heritage Site it is today.’

Lo Specchio Dell’Assoluto (The Mirror of the Absolute) (2020-21) is another newly-created sculpture. It is formed of painted magnesium-aluminium casting and stainless steel spheres, and measures 3.3 metres in diameter. It stands before the Temple of Juno. Image: Gianfranco Meggiato / Parco Valle dei Templi Agrigento.

The exhibition was curated by Daniela Brignone, and features four completely new creations by Gianfranco Meggiato.

Offering their perspective on the relationship between the artist, the landscape, and the sculptures, Brignone said: ‘Gianfranco Meggiato composes an ideal journey inside one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, tackling the memory of the past and the enigmatic perspectives of the future to reflect on Man in search of himself.’

Click here to find out more about Quantum Man: There Is No Future Without Memory.