On October 7, 2024, the University of Salerno’s NEOLAiA team published a new dataset on Art@UNISA, available at data.neolaiacampus.eu. This dataset highlights the artistic and cultural heritage of the university, reinforcing UNISA’s dedication to both academic excellence and artistic expression.
Art and culture are deeply intertwined, and UNISA has long recognized their significance. The university not only promotes academic and cultural initiatives but also values artistic expression, providing spaces for both permanent and temporary art exhibitions.
A Campus Open to Art
Over the years, UNISA has hosted and preserved numerous works of art, transforming the campus into a distributed museum where academic and creative pursuits coexist. Currently, seven major works define this artistic landscape:
- Mnemata (Pietro Lista, 1991) – A bronze sculpture symbolizing rural memory, incorporating elements like a wooden table, a straw chair, and a cherry tree.
- Furia Selvaggia (Umberto Mastroianni, 1975/2001) – A large iron sculpture at the South Campus entrance, embodying Mastroianni’s dynamic artistic vision.
- Chiostro della Pace (Ettore Sottsass jr. & Enzo Cucchi, 2006) – A contemplative space between the Rectorate and the Aula Magna, featuring four fully functional terracotta fountains.
- Legni Parlanti (Paolo Cibelli, 2007) – A wooden lectern and altar, carved from an ancient olive tree, housed in the University Chapel.
- Orizzonte Due (Costas Varotsos, 2016) – A 34-meter-long steel and glass installation at the South Campus entrance, designed to integrate with the natural surroundings.
- Panchina Rossa (OGEPO, 2016) – A permanent installation raising awareness about gender-based violence, symbolizing the presence of women lost to violence.
- Ombre – The Campus Sundial (Lucio Perone, 2018) – A large-scale sculpture in steel and fiberglass, created as part of the “Art on Campus. OverAll” project.
- Pera (Lucio Perone, 2022) – A work created by the same author of Ombre, located near the Ateneo theater and the main square.
Bringing Art Closer to the Community
This dataset makes UNISA’s artistic heritage more accessible, not only to students and faculty but also to a wider international audience.
The information included in the dataset has been carefully gathered by the team through official sources, primarily the UNISA website—especially the dedicated section on Art and Architecture.
Each entry in the dataset provides a comprehensive record of the artworks, including:
- Name
- Author
- Type of artwork
- Date and year of creation
- Detailed description
- Image
- Geographical coordinates
- Source URL
