University of Salerno: an open-air museum
The University of Salerno offers its students and visitors an artistic and architectural heritage of particular interest. The Art on Campus project proposes an itinerary that intertwines contemporary art and architecture, enhancing the spaces of the Fisciano campus through the works of Ettore Sottsass, Enzo Cucchi, Ugo Marano, Pietro Lista, Lucio Perone, Paolo Cibelli, Umberto Mastroianni and Costas Varotsos.
The route also showcases some of the University’s most representative buildings, including the Scientific Library, the Humanities Library, the University Theatre and the halls of residence, offering visitors the opportunity to discover a campus designed as a place of education, research and culture.
This heritage is also promoted through collaboration with FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (the Italian National Trust), which opens the campus to the public during the FAI Days with dedicated tours to explore its architecture and contemporary artistic heritage.
During your stay, take the time to explore Art on Campus: a way to get to know the University of Salerno through its artistic and architectural heritage.
Currently, 8 main works define this artistic landscape:
- Mnemata (Pietro Lista, 1991): A bronze sculpture symbolising rural memory, incorporating elements such as a wooden table, a straw chair, and a cherry tree.
- Furia Selvaggia (Umberto Mastroianni, 1975/2001): A large iron sculpture located at the South entrance of the Campus, embodying Mastroianni’s dynamic artistic vision.
- Chiostro della Pace (Ettore Sottsass Jr. & Enzo Cucchi, 2006): A contemplative space between the Rectorate and the Great Hall, enriched by four fully functioning terracotta fountains.
- Legni Parlanti (Paolo Cibelli, 2007): A wooden lectern and altar, carved from an ancient olive tree and located within the University Chapel.
- Orizzonte Due (Costas Varotsos, 2016): A 34-metre-long steel and glass installation at the South entrance of the Campus, designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape.
- Panchina Rossa (OGEPO, 2016): A permanent installation to raise awareness of gender-based violence, serving as a symbol for women victims of violence.
- Ombre: The Campus Sundial (Lucio Perone, 2018): A large sculpture in steel and fibreglass, created for the “Art on Campus. OverAll” project.
- Good Luck (Lucio Perone, 2022): A work by the same artist as Ombre, located near the University theatre and the main square.
Through this layering of art, architecture, and nature, the University of Salerno presents itself as a unique Campus model in Italy. It is not only a research centre of excellence, but a living organism where beauty is considered an essential component of training. Here, the walk between classrooms becomes an opportunity for discovery, making time on campus a continuous aesthetic and intellectual experience.