The Donkeys of Curi: Between Spirituality and Poetry

(by Francesca Pierleoni) A pure and atavistic spirituality, which passes through the nativity scene, a light breath of blasphemy, with a donkey instead of Baby Jesus and a touch of humor with vending machines that offer straw instead of drinks. They are among the lines of Prayer to go to heaven with the donkeys - Homage to Francis Jammes, Raffaele's action set Curi promoted by the Alda Fendi Foundation - Experiments, in program in Rome from November 11th in the spaces of Palazzo Rhinoceros. At the center is the homonymous poem by the French author (1868-1938), friend of Paul Claudel and master of storytelling in poetry the beauty of small things, contemplating nature and everyday feelings. "Prayer to go to heaven with 'The Donkeys' is a poem full of piety - explains Curi, director artistic exhibition of the Alda Fendi Foundation - Experiments - in which After his death, Jammes chose his own travelling companions. of donkeys, animals that know how to suffer, that have pity, not not only for themselves but also for others and they help everyone." It's "the animal that accompanies Jesus to Bethlehem on Easter Sunday Palms", as well as "a frequent presence in fairy tales". This of Jammes is a "simple and pure" poem that I chose for a meaning deep mysticism - he adds -. In today's world no one It speaks more of faith, and few have the courage to be different, especially in the contemporary art environment where a certain surrealism dominates which seems revolutionary but often it's empty." The path opens on the ground floor with a crowd of donkeys suspended in the air, made of multiple materials, such as paper tissue paper, squared sheets, biscuit bread in a sea of three-dimensional clouds, accompanied by Jammes' verses. A Curi's voice also reinterprets them, in a delicate 'jam session' with songs like Brassens', La prière born from Another poem by the French author. On the foreground, a bundle of guiding light in a sort of "paradise" evoked in the pictorial masterpieces by great artists, such as Guido Reni and Giotto, with a glorified donkey. Two 'props' the route. wooden telegraph poles and a full moon effect. Finally, going up further, there is a giant photo of the poet, and the text by the literary critic, essayist and poet Matteo Veronesi with references to Rilke and Hugo. Prayer to go to heaven with the donkeys - Homage to Francis Jammes, is the first chapter of a trilogy centered right on the donkey, understood as an animal friendly to man, independent, wise and resilient, present in tradition Christian as a symbol of goodness and humility. We will continue the next April on the trail of Apuleius' Golden Ass, and October 2026, with a tribute to a performance by Marina Abramovic. "In my opinion it is very important to talk about these issues today - Alda Fendi underlines - because people, in everyday life, do not they think that perhaps the most beautiful things in life are the simplicity, gentleness, sweetness. This performance of Raffaele makes you think because he also gives a signal to the soul. I think people will come out of here with a very strong feeling. of spirituality".