7.3.-30.4.2009

People have the power!

(Patti Smith)

Who is Saint Rosalia? In fact, Saint Rosalia doesn’t exist. She was invented in 1640, during the Plague of Palermo when the citizens of the town needed something or someone to believe in.

The Saint is very popular, and not only among Sicilian people. For example, she has many Buddhist devotees, probably because she is often depicted in a lying position like the Buddha. She also has a lot of fans among laymen in Italy. She is a true expression of popular culture.

When I discovered Saint Rosalia I was bewitched. She is the heroine of the poor people without voice, all over the country. So, I started to imagine what she could do now,  catalysing the power of the common people fight. My Saint Rosalia protects who thinks with his or her head. She is not a Catholic icon;  in fact, She despises the Pope. She does Miracles only when ordinary people believe in Her. Without  struggle of humanity for life or dignity she lacks power.

Serena Giordano

Serena Giordano was born in 1961 in Milan, Italy.

B.A., Academy of fine arts, in Genoa, 1983. She started her carear as an artist in 1980, showing her artworks in several art galleries and museums.

She teaches Visual comunication at the University of Genoa (School of Education and School of Architecure) and at IED (European design institute) of Milan. She has written, with Alessandro Dal Lago, two books and some articles on contemporary art.