Abyss – Per Barclay at the Royal Palace of Caserta

From May 21 to July 20, 2025, the Royal Palace of Caserta hosts Abyss, a site-specific project by Norwegian artist Per Barclay, curated by Marina Guida, set in the evocative Court Theatre.

The installation transforms the 18th-century theatre into a reflective abyss, with the floor covered in a black, oil-like liquid. This smooth, mirror-like yet unsettling surface radically alters spatial perception, drawing visitors into a visual and symbolic experience suspended between allure and unease.

The work tackles contemporary issues such as extraction and the oil industry, with petroleum serving as a metaphor for the subconscious, mystery, and inner darkness. It reflects the theatre environment as a dark "double" of reality.

Abyss explores the ambivalent power of hydrocarbons—a resource that has shaped humanity’s fate, bringing both wealth and devastation, progress and tragedy.

The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Giorgio Persano Gallery (Turin) and was selected by the Palace’s Scientific Committee through the Participatory Enhancement Call for the first half of 2025, which supports innovative cultural projects by nonprofit institutions, associations, and organizations.

Abyss is held under the moral patronage of the Municipality of Caserta, the Campania Region, and the Norwegian Embassy.

The exhibition is accessible with the Campania>artecard pass.