Sant’Ignazio da Laconi

Design and realization of the iconographic and decorative system for a new church in Olbia, Sassari (Sardinia).

An award winning project from the 6th edition of the CEI Pilot projects competition, 2011

2020
Olbia

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Francesca Leto, Michele Battistella, Daniele Bertoldo

LITURGICAL CONSULTING
Gaetano Comiati

ART DIRECTION
Mauro Zocchetta

ARTWORKS
Caterina Gabelli, Sara Maragotto
— with Alberto Secchi, Mauro Zocchetta

PAINTING CYCLE COORDINATION
Eleonora Diana

LITURGICAL OBJECTS
Francesca Leto ⁄ design, Caterina Gabelli ⁄ decoration

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Chiara Costa

Decorators team — Raffaele Arru, Daniele Catalli, Maurizio Fò, Gianluca Lai, Anna Ippolito
Technical support — Luca Vianello
Original font — Il Letterista
Marble works — Ceccato Marmi
Photo credits — Teo Giovanni Poggi

AN ORIGINAL ICONOGRAPHIC PROGRAM

The painting cycle of the Church of Sant'Ignazio is the result of a team effort over a long period of time that involved close collaboration between the architectural, artistic, and liturgical aspects. The aim was that of developing a common methodology, integrating various perspectives.

The initial references were the frescoes found in early Christian places of worship: the CATACOMBS, which suggested a system for organizing different elements (drawings, inscriptions, and paintings) into a visually coherent whole. The space, divided into geometric fields by strict lines in earthy red tones, allowed for a freer and more gestural approach to the decorations.

Ph. Salvatore Denau

THE PAINTING CYCLE

The walls were painted using contemporary painting techniques, blending an ancient approach with new technologies, executed by specialized decorators. The objective was to maintain the vibrant style of the original drawings. The painting cycle reinterprets fundamental themes from the Old and New Testaments through the juxtaposition of symbolic images. The wall of the counter-façade depicts the Last Judgment, with the fish symbolizing humanity gathering before God.

The PHRASES appearing on the sides of the paintings and decorations follow a topographic approach that provides viewers with a guide for interpreting the images. The specifically designed font also reflects the style of paleochristian stone engravings.

LITURGICAL OBJECTS

The liturgical objects, designed by Francesca Leto and decorated by Caterina Gabelli, reinterpret the symbols of the Christian liturgical tradition in an essential way.

For the ALTAR, the inlaid floor design represents the Celestial Garden, while the floor of the ambo depicts the Garden of Aromatic Plants, symbolizing the uncovered tomb of the Resurrection.

In the decoration of the PRESIDER’S CHAIR, there are fish representing the community of believers, listening to the Word of God.

The PASCHAL CANDLE is adorned with flame motifs reminiscent of the Pentecost fire, and small inlays on the steps of the baptismal font echo the water, symbolizing Christian initiation.