A new space becomes a new place returned to the community, thanks to the recover works and to the sculptures of Jago.
The church of Sant'Aspreno ai Crociferi
The church was built in 1633 and dedicated to the first bishop of Naples. Due to the so-called lava dei vergini, a flood that came in the Sanità District, it was rebuilt in the 18th century.
Originally, the church was a monastery designated to take care of ill people of the city. However, the church was abandoned after the flood.
In 1760 Bartolomeo and Luca Vecchione, partners of Luigi Vanvitelli, articulated the space with a Latin cross structure with one nave and four chapels on the sides. With the new project, the basilica was rebuilt in a higher level, with a staircase made of volcanic rock, to protect it from the lava dei vergini. Through time, the basilica was decorated with many paintings like the altarpiece of Francesco La Marra and the canvas of Domenico Mondo inspired by Luca Giordano.
oday, the Basilica of Saint Aspreno ai Crociferi has been restored after 40 years of abandonment to welcome the statues of Jago, in his Museum.
Pope Francis' lesson
The goods of the Church as a resource for people in a state of need.
Pope Francesco has clearly notice that so many churches are not needed anymore, for lack of worshipers and clergy members.
However, He says that this change “doesn’t have to be welcomed by the Church with anxiety, but as a sign of the times” suggesting that the goods of the Church can be a resource that can be available to people, and mostly to the once that live in a state of need.
In the same way, the Rione Sanità has tried to find new and brave ways to manifest its faith, for example through its commitment to redevelop the resources of the territory, as Father Antonio Loffredo says.
The reopening of the curch of San'Aspreno ai Crociferi
The reopening of the Church of Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi was possible thanks to an agreement signed with Fondo Edifici di Culto, and thanks to the support of Fondazione CON IL SUD, Fondazione di Comunità San Gennaro, and Intesa Sanpaolo.
Jago Museum
Sculpture as a means to reach the essence.
The church holds Jago’s works and his vision on humanity.
The birth of the museum
The reopening of the Church and the Jago Museum represent a new investment on the human capital, a true treasure of the territory.
In 2019, after the creation of the Veiled Son, Jago wanted to live and work in the Rione Sanità, inspired by the project of regeneration and enhancement of the neighbourhood.
The best place to welcome the work of this artist is the Basilica of Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi. A new reopening that marks a new important step in the journey of “care of culture and culture of care”.
This is where Jago created the Pietà, shown in Rome in the Church degli Artisti and at Palazzo Bonaparte, and then brought back here.
With your ticket for the Jago Museum
Visit for free the Basilica di San Severo and the Veiled Son.
Discover the work«Behind the places and their content there always is the humanity of those who have firstly imagined it and then built it, the humanity of those who have inhabited and abandoned it. The humanity of those who have renovated it and of those who will come.»
A place for creation and recovery
The new museum of the Rione Sanità holds the statues of Jago and two new projects for the young people of the district.
Jago’s atelier is now an exhibition itinerary among some of his most recent works and a place in which the young people of the neighborhood will get the chance to be a part of two projects: “Luce al Rione Sanità” and “Tornaccantà”.
The project Luce aims to bring the light in Via dei Cristallini, a zone with a high cultural potential, that will be characterised by new processes of social and cultural regeneration, based on the fight against the inequalities, on job placement for young people that are struggling, urban regeneration, enhancement of the third sector. The project is carried out by the Cooperative La Paranza with Fondazione CON IL SUD, Fondazione San Gennaro and Intesa SanPaolo.
The project Tornaccantà was born to involve and give back dignity to the talents and the places of the Rione Sanità, by creating a home for Neapolitan music. This project is carried out by Fondazione San Gennaro with Nuovo Teatro Sanità (NTS), Coop. Soc. Sanitàrt, Consorzio Sociale Coop4art, Coop. Soc. La Paranza, impresa sociale Kalòs, and with the support of Intesa SanPaolo and Fondazione CESVI.
The works of the new Jago Museum
The workshop born during the lockdown is now opening its doors to the city.
The opening of the Jago's atelier is a moment of strong symbolic value: it is the transition from an intimate space of creation, born during the pandemic, to a place of culture now accessible to everyone.
Jago Museum is an open discovery path, a journey through the artist's ability to rework myths of the past through the lens of current events and the comtemporary world.
The reopening of the Church of SantAspreno ai Crociferi and the Jago Museum are told in an effective way by the artist:
«Behind the places and their content there always is the humanity of those who have firstly imagined it and then built it, the humanity of those who have inhabited and abandoned it. The humanity of those who have renovated it and of those who will come.»
ABOUT THE WORKS:
Self (2019), the artist's self-portrait is made out of Danby’s marble, which peculiarity are its shiny big crystals.
Apparato circolatorio (2017), thirty frames of a heartbeat. The Hearts are all different, and only by mixing all the frames together they can simulate the pulse.
Ego Laurentius (2007-2022) It represents Jago’s arm. The artist says his own hands are the tools of his knowledge.
Airavata, Sphynx, Container, Muscolo Minerale (2015-2017). These works are made out of marble stones from the Serra River.
Pietà (2021), representing two humans beings. The attention does not fall on the identity of the characters, it rather shifts on the study of human expressions and feelings.
David (plaster model) (2021): the iconic biblical character represented by Michelangelo is now a woman.
Venere (2018), a praise to Beauty in every shape.
Aiace e Cassandra (2022) is made out of Carrara statuary marble. It's a sculpture that shows the bravery of a Woman.
Support the restoration of the Church of Sant'Aspreno with Art Bonus!
Art bonus is a voluntary donation to support the public and cultural Italian heritage, promoting the rescue of beauty.
Art Bonus allows Italian citizens to participate in the protection and enhancement activities of the Church of Sant'Aspreno ai Crociferi, through a liberal donation for interventions in favour of culture and entertainment, with a subsidised (temporary) tax regime of 65%.
The project is carried out by:
- Fondo Edifici di Culto
- Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per il Comune di Napoli
- Coop4Art consorzio di cooperative sociali
- La Paranza cooperativa sociale onlus
Supported by:
- Raibal
- Fondazione CON IL SUD
- Fondazione di Comunità San Gennaro
- Intesa SanPaolo
Technical partners:
- Light Company
- Domo Light
How to support
Beneficiary
Parrocchia di Santa Maria della Sanità
IBAN
IT36S0306909606100000155025
Bank transfer reference
Art bonus - Parrocchia di Santa Maria alla Sanità - Chiesa di Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi - Codice fiscale o P. IVA of the supporter - Name of the project chosen (optional)
For further information: https://artbonus.gov.it/2411-chiesa-di-santaspreno-ai-crociferi.html
Church of Sant'Aspreno ai Crociferi and Jago Museum
Guided visit to Sant’Aspreno and Jago Museum
- Tours
- Mon-Thu 10 am-1 pm, Fri-Sun 10 am-5pm
- Language
- English, Italian
- Duration
- 1 hour