“Sacred. Ripensare l’arte antica”. Un progetto per raccontare l’attualità emozionante del classico

This paper presents the theories, experiences, and considerations that inspired the educational project and exhibition “Sacred. Ripensare l’arte antica”. The project, oriented towards public engagement, utilizes ancient sculpture and artistic contemporary language dialogue to highlight the relevance of classical art and its proximity (cultural, emotional, aesthetic) to people and today’s society. In addition to describing the exhibition path, contents, and collateral initiatives, we reflect on the general concept behind the project. We elaborate on the importance of interdependence between emotion and cognition as part of the aesthetic experience, and on the ability of architecture, based on the awakening of empathy and curiosity, to create a fluid circuit of ideas, values, and behaviors, which accompany the visitor beyond the mere appreciation of a decontextualized beauty.