On an archaeological site in Policoro, in the South of Italy, an artistic intervention stages a Dionesian temple. The Greek temple was part of the acropolis of the city of Herakleia, founded in 433-32 BC. The installation presents an (artistic) interpretation of the temple as a volume, since only the foundations of the temple and the adjacent agora with the altar remain today.

Normally, deterioration and ruination occur from the top down: the roof cladding is the first to disappear because it is the most exposed to the elements, then the roof structure, and so forth. Socles, plinths and floors survive the longest. In this permanent installation, the ruination process is theatrically inverted: The roof, upper wall sections and parts of the columns are shown. Visitors are now able to walk under an artificial ruin of the temple, hanging within a steel structure.

The installation urges visitors to be aware of the often slightly artificial nature of the ruin. The romantic qualities that are ascribed to a certain image of a ruin are questioned here. By literally turning expectations upside down, a whole new perspective on the Dionysian temple, and on the concept of a ruin in general, is unveiled.

COMMISSION
Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Siritide
Herakleia Archaeological Park

LOCATION
Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Siritide, Policoro, Italy

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