The reconversion project
The restoration of the sixteenth-century cloister of the Church of Santa Caterina in Formiello was the starting point of the Made in Cloister reconversion project to transform it into an exhibition and performance center open to the city. The small cloister, in particular, over the years had been split into different properties that used spaces for disparate activities (garage, carpentry, storage ...).
Main courtyard at the beginning (2012) by Fondazione Made in CloisterFondazione Made in Cloister
From this condition of deterioration the restoration project started, which wanted to give homogeneity through the restoration of the ancient sixteenth-century spaces denied by abuse.
Fresco's detail (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
Detail of the frescos from the 16 century in the cloister of Santa Caterina a Formiello representing a domenican monk, the church order from 1499 to 1806.
Restoration works (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
Working on the restoration of the cloister- Detail of Madonna with child from Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Restoration works (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
The restoration of the cloister- cleaning phase with cellulose of Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Restoration works (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
The restoration of the cloister for Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes- pulp and paper phase.
The Borbone wooden lantern
The Borbone wooden lantern in the center of the space, a rare example of nineteenth-century industrial archeology, has been restored, transforming it into the beating heart and symbol of the project. Since 2015, the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples and the students in the restoration class who have brought to light the frescoes narrating the history of St. Catherine of Alexandria, have actively collaborated in the restoration.
The Kickstarter Crowdfunding campaign (2012/2013) by Fondazione Made in CloisterFondazione Made in Cloister
At the beginning, in 2012, we started a crowdfunding campaign to restore the Borbonic dryer, supported by Laurie Anderson, Antony and the Johnsons, Lou Reed, Timothy Greenfield – Sanders, Maria Thereza Alves, Jimmie Durham, Patti Smith, Clifford Ross, Mimmo Paladino, Yuval Avital.
Fresco's detail (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
Detail of the frescos from the 16 century in the cloister of Santa Caterina a Formiello representing a child face, part of Santa Caterina from Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Restoration workd (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
The restoration of the cloister for Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes- taking samples of colour pigment.
Restoration works (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
The restoration of the cloister- cleaning phase detail of the angel in Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Restoration works- detail of an angel (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
Working on the restoration of the cloister- Detail of an angel from Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Restoration works (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
The restoration of the cloister- cleaning phase with sponge of Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Fresco's detail (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
Detail of the frescos from the 16 century in the cloister of Santa Caterina a Formiello representing a woman face, part of Santa Caterina from Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
Urban Renewal
Because of the site’s history and location, the project’s aim has been that of recuperating a part of Naples’ cultural heritage. Its intention is to renew local traditional crafts with a contemporary approach, bringing local master craftsmen to work with international artists and designers.
Made in Cloister’s vision:
Recuperate, reconvert and develop the local artistic heritage coherent with the territorial vocation; Re-launch the notion of “handmade” through the interaction between master craftsmen and international artists and designers; Create awareness of urban regeneration and the social impact of a cultural project.
Before the restoration- The borbonic industrial dryer (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
Picture of the borbonic dryer (end of XVIII century) after a century of state of neglet and before its restoration.
Columns and borbonic dryer before the restoration (2014) by Harry PierceFondazione Made in Cloister
Restoration works (2015) by Ilaria RossilliFondazione Made in Cloister
The restoration of Saint Caterina d'Alessandria's life series of frescoes.
The relation with the territory
Made in Cloister has inspired and promoted a cultural cluster, involving local, Italian and international personalities who have with their own vocation contributed to the conversion of the whole monumental area of Santa Caterina a Formiello. Some of the activities that Made in Cloister is treating for the project on urban regeneration of the neighborhood include the creation of a network of creative businesses, the identification of other areas within the complex that can be converted, the involvement of international artists and designers, the exchange with the local community, museums and educational institutions within the territory, and the involvement of the artisans.
Refectory/Cloister Bar (2016) by Valeria LaureanoFondazione Made in Cloister
The Refettorio after the restoration
Refectory/Cloister Bar (2016) by Valeria LaureanoFondazione Made in Cloister
The Cloister Bar is the space inside the Foundation located in the Refettorio that Made in Cloister has dedicated to drinks and food with particular reference to Neapolitan cuisine.
Refectory/Cloister Bar (2016) by Valeria LaureanoFondazione Made in Cloister
After the restoration, the furnishings of the Cloister Bar was made by Bottega Made in Cloister: tables, chairs, sofas and stools designed by the New York designer Chris Rucker and made by Neapolitan artisans
Photo Credit: Viviana Falace
Valeria Laureano
Harry Pierce
