The history of the church of San Carlo predates the contemporary art project by many centuries. Its surfaces retain traces of successive uses, transformations and periods of abandonment. These layers of history are integral to the character of the place.
The nave, dome and chapels, natural light, acoustics and proportions of the church create a particular set of conditions for each artist’s work. A work may extend through the church’s entire volume, concentrate on a single point, engage with light or sound, or introduce a temporary architecture. Even a minimal presence can profoundly change how the space is perceived. The church gives each work a tangible sense of scale; for the duration of the exhibition, the work gives the space a new configuration.