Bishop enthuses about transformation of Church into an artistic hub, headed by artist who insulted Pope Benedict
Anagni entrusts the Church of the Madonna del Popolo to Jago: today a new center of art and beauty is born
Press conference in the bishop's palace: the project includes a studio-laboratory that will become a museum, with an exhibition circuit between two historic churches
A place to create and tell
The project that includes the assignment for use of the historic church of the Madonna del Popolo, in the heart of the city's historic center, to the artist Jago was officially presented this morning, June 23, 2025, in the Episcopio hall of the bishop's palace of Anagni. The press conference was attended by Msgr. Ambrogio Spreafico, bishop of the Diocese of Anagni-Alatri, the mayor of Anagni Daniele Natalia, and Jago himself, who illustrated the vision of an artistic and cultural journey inspired by the one already created in Naples, in the Sanità district.
"The Madonna del Popolo – explained Jago – will initially be a place of work, as was the church of Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi, where we began in silence, with our hands in the material. Then, when the number of works allows it, it will open to the public as a museum"
Two spaces, a single vision
Not only the church of the Madonna del Popolo: during the meeting, the mayor of Anagni Daniele Natalia also announced the involvement in the project of the former church of Sant’Antonio Abate, now deconsecrated, formerly a municipal auditorium. Both spaces will be part of an integrated exhibition circuit, with workshops, exhibitions and guided tours, conceived according to a dynamic and contemporary museum model, which aims to enhance existing beauty, without inventing anything but working with what already exists.
The process includes several phases: it will begin with the adaptation of the Madonna del Popolo to the artist's studio-workshop, behind closed doors but with a constant narration. In parallel, the interventions for the musealization will be designed: systems, lighting, reception, internal storytelling and connection with the other places involved.
Art as a community generator
The intent, as happened in Naples, is to trigger a cultural and urban regeneration. Starting from Jago's work, the entire city fabric will be able to benefit from a new creative and attractive impetus, capable of involving citizens, tourists, institutions and local businesses. The creation of a widespread museum is not only a cultural act: it is a gesture of trust towards the territory, a concrete proposal for inhabiting beauty.
"Anagni," Jago said, "can become a museum. But not in the strict sense of the term: a museum as a living place, where ideas of beauty are protected and a cultural heritage is shared with the community."
Jago: "I return to Anagni with gratitude. Let's work together to transform the city into a widespread museum of beauty"
"Every time I return to Anagni it's an emotion," artist Jago began during this morning's press conference, expressing a deep sense of gratitude towards his hometown. "My parents always told me that sooner or later I would return, but I didn't believe it. Yet today I understand that what I was looking for elsewhere I have always had before my eyes: I just lacked the key to read it."
Beauty must be protected and shared
Jago emphasized how his artistic work is an act of faith and trust, a continuous gesture of transformation: «I work starting from a rough block, whether it is marble or urban space, and I sculpt it following an idea. This is what happened in Naples, where we gave new life to an abandoned space. But nothing is done alone: my merit is to surround myself with people who are better than me, with whom I can share a common vision.»
“Anagni is home. And it can be a museum”
His vision for Anagni is ambitious but concrete: to make it a widespread museum, capable of enhancing what exists, protecting beauty and generating a real impact on the community. «A museum is first and foremost an attempt to protect an idea of beauty. There are many here. Our task is to preserve them, tell them, bring them to life.»
Jago also referred to the Neapolitan experience as a model: «In Naples, in two years, we have welcomed over 250,000 visitors. But it wasn’t just about numbers: the entire neighborhood was transformed, the local economy responded, the bars and businesses began to come to life in the evenings too. This is the idea: a cultural project that is also generative, collective.»
Working with time, not against it
«Great works require time, like a complex sculpture or a painting. We live in an era in which we want everything now, but beauty needs its own rhythm. And we, together, must have the patience and the will to build something that will last.»
Jago
Finally, in his usual sincere and passionate tone, he concluded: 'I make myself available. We chose Anagni as the headquarters of our company even though we work all over the world. It is a concrete gesture, a sign. And we do it with gratitude, respect and love for beauty. If we all pull together, we can really carve a new shape for our city."
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