The Prisenti of Gibellina and The Encounter of Adrian Paci. Religious festivals and contemporary art in the public space in Sicily. An International perspective

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between contemporary arts and religious festivals in Sicily. The “Prisenti” were ancient clothes traditionally carried in the procession for the Feast of San Rocco in Gibellina. The tradition, abandoned after the 1968 Belice earthquake, was revived in by artists who were able to reconcile avant-garde demands with a commitment to preserving memory. Traditions as an
identity foundation suggests a parallel with “The Encounter”, a reinterpretation of the Madonna vasa vasa ritual in Modica by Adrian Paci, following the suspension of Holy Week processions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These approaches share a common focus on public space as a catalyst for community relationships and an opportunity for an unprecedented reflection on the collective ritual.