PADIGLIONE MORTO
The pavilion was conceived by The Unknown Artist and presented together with a sound installation by Alexey Zelensky and videography by media artist Marco Aurelio Di Giorgio.
As an unofficial participant in the 59th International Art Exhibition in Venice, The Dead Pavilion stood as a resonant, clandestine intervention, confronting the realities of violence while urging the Venice guests to witness the war
| The icon of the blessed Seven-shot Artist |
| The icon of the blessed Seven-shot Artist |
The work of The Unknown Artist is a non-canonical image inspired by the Orthodox icon
Softener of Evil Hearts (or Seven-Shot Virgin).
According to Orthodox tradition, the icon depicts Madonna with her head covered and seven swords stuck in her heart. The number seven denotes the fullness of grief, sadness, and heartache. Standing before the icon, believers ask for reconciliation of adversaries, deliverance from cruelty and war.
| The work of The Unknown Artist is a non-canonical image inspired by the Orthodox icon Softener of Evil Hearts. According to Orthodox tradition, the icon depicts Madonna with her head covered and seven swords stuck in her heart. The number seven denotes the fullness of grief, sadness, and heartache. Standing before the icon, believers ask for reconciliation of adversaries, deliverance from cruelty and war. |
| A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke The work of The Unknown Artist is a non-canonical image inspired by the Orthodox icon Softener of Evil Hearts. |
| The Orthodox patriarchs did not unite against the war in the spring of 2022; from now on, art takes a responsibility for spiritual growth and calls on society to soften hearts, mercy, and end wars and humanism. Therefore, the artist depicts a maiden with an uncovered head here, whose heart is pierced by seven arrows. In the medieval tradition, the master did not sign the work, icons were created by "anonymous". It was believed that the icon painter is a vessel for God's work.
The author of the painting also remains anonymous, though her religion is art. |
| Softening evil hearts in Venice During the Second World War, soldiers of one of the Italian units stationed on the Don found the icon Softener of Evil Hearts in a destroyed house. The Italians prayed to the icon for a speedy return home and the end of the war. Retreating, they saved it: the chaplain of the Policarpo regiment took the icon to Italy, where a chapel was built especially for it in Mestre (the mainland of Venice). They called the icon Madonna di Don. Softener of Evil Hearts, again, traveles to Venice during the war times. |
