Rebecca Horn
A decade after the Spiriti di madreperla installation in Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, the fascination with “Capuzzelle”, skulls representing the souls of purgatory, is still so vivid in the imaginary of the German artist that she decided to dedicate another exhibit to this theme.
On 25 September, 2002, Rebecca Horn was in Naples and was welcomed by a very elderly couple into their home to hear their account of the age-old religious cult of the souls of Purgatory.
These were the nameless, abandoned souls who died in the various outbreaks of the plague or under other violent circumstances and hadn’t had the time to repent of their sins thereby gaining access to eternal beatitude. Their skulls and bones were massed in common ossuaries like the Cemetary of the Fontanelle or in the crypts of several Neapolitan churches.
According to popular belief, these souls appear in the dreams of the devoted to ask for their prayers and some solicitude for their bodily remains in return for miracles. The devoted accept this exchange and literally adopt a skull, affectionately called Capuzzella, which they care for, polishing it and praying for its soul.
The special relationship of reciprocal solidarity between the dead and the living, which characterizes Neapolitan culture, the constant flow of energy between the hereafter and earthly existence and uninterrupted communication between these two dimensions, continue to serve as a source of inspiration for Rebecca Horn. These new sculptures of transformation and drawings will be shown at the Studio Trisorio.