The town of Cannole and the Pro Loco "CERCETO" Association are organizing the first International Sculpture Symposium "in Pietra Leccese". The aim of the symposium is to create a bridge between the presence of ancient cultural "signs" - such as prehistoric caves, dolmen, menhir, Roman roads and walls, chapels dating from the early spread of Christianity, churches from the Baroque period - and the creation of new "signs" ('Re-Design') which will foster a reappropriation of the rich culture of Salento, as well as a "re-proposal" of cultural ideas which are an expression of vitality and a stimulus to the local community. Prof.ssa Marina Pizzarelli THE VITALITY OF PIETRA LECCESE   Prof. Mario Calcagnile Thoughts on SEGNI e RI-SEGNI   PHOTO GALLERY: ARTISTS AT WORK

Sponsors Information about 'Pietra Leccese' Historical and Cultural Notes on Cannole Participating Artists "Festa della Municeddha" Email Italiano

It is important that "pietra leccese", famous the world over through the voluptuous richness of carved Baroque forms, but at the same time fatefully associated with this style, continues to thrive as sculpted stone in contemporary art. It is also important that artists, some from distant countries, with different backgrounds and experiences and very different sensibilities, all of which are shared and exchanged, are participating in this symposium, which is almost a christening - because of this, the works which will remain at the end are the creation of individuals, but benefited from the contribution of all. The open nature of the artistic symposium and the possibility offered to the public to participate during all the phases of creation, favours the understanding that a work of art is a serious thing; it is the manifestation of a belief in art which has almost been lost. The "performance" is at one and the same time the fruit of commitment and the constant dialogue that the sculptor has with the piece of stone before him: only a good dialogue will produce a good result. Janez Lenassi, Cannole, 5 August 2001