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EXEMPLA

Historically, exempla are more commonly understood in literary terms. Yet, the visual tradition that is experienced in places like Orvieto and throughout Italy in churches and public institutions is equally compelling. Think of the Sistine Chapel, the Scrovegni Chapel, and the Chapel of the Corporal in the Duomo. They are covered with visual narratives which served as examples that can be read, cross-referenced and used to instruct, challenge and encourage those who were present. The Orvieto program emphasizes and truly celebrates context and encounter for art.  

We took exempla as a conceptual hinge to gather work from a wide range of people who spent time here in order to celebrate a collaborative exhibition twenty years in the making.

Photos by Peter Morse