Bill and I had a month in Naples this spring. It coincided with photographer JR's "Chronicles of Naples" photo installation on the facade of the Duomo.
On May 1st Bill took a picture of our beloved Duomo.
By May 15th there was hydraulic machinery behind fencing and a small crew attaching photographs to the walls.
Without any information, Bill and I wondered if it could be a JR thing. We knew him from the documentary he made with Agnes Varda in 2017.
On May 16th I noticed a master plan for the facade.
I also saw one of the photographic prints laid on the steps waiting to go up. Was it printed on vinyl?
The lower walls were being reached via scaffolding.
By May 20 the installation was complete.
By now we knew the work was by JR and could see that he had posed groups of locals.
The portraits were life sized.
I liked a pair of dogs placed near a Romanesque lion.
Two more views of the dogs.
Here is the full photograph with the dogs at the bottom. Neapolitans fill a stairway and a balcony above.
We're used to seeing saints and angels on the walls of churches. It was wonderful to see ordinary people in ordinary poses tucked into the arches.
The opening happed on May 21st. I caught the artist on the left in his signature hat and dark glasses.
JR had a book launch for the catalogue at his gallery on Via Toledo. He marked the spot with a photo of tourists.
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Here is a link to JR's website with the full story of the project. Don't miss the searchable and zoomable map of the facade with short audio files from the participants.
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