The Church of Santa Croce e Purgatorio al Mercato in Naples becomes the scene of a symbolic transformation.
An ancient sacred space opens to new visions, where seeing and being seen merge into a single immersive experience.

“Alter Oculus” is an immersive installation conceived by artist Franz Cerami that reflects on the themes of the gaze, of seeing, and of being seen.
The viewer looks, sees, and contemplates, simultaneously becoming an integral part of a new vision. The visitor is drawn into an emotional and immersive journey made of light and suggestions, images and abstractions.

Like other 20th-century artists, the Neapolitan artist intervenes in a pre-existing sacred space (18th century), redesigning the narrative device and redefining the value and quality of the original structure, still intended for encounter and spiritual growth.

In other words, “Alter Oculus” is an experience of the visible/invisible aimed at revitalizing the relationships between artist, viewer, artwork, and urban space, in a sort of neo-Renaissance impetus with a contemporary feel.
Dominique Lora – Art Historian and University Professor, La Sapienza University of Rome.

11 Projections 
The empty frames of the church, once home to paintings and stories, now serve as gateways to new visions.
Through 11 projections placed within the empty frames, each frame becomes a door that tells a different story: a face that observes and is observed, a silent dialogue spanning time.

The gaze becomes both subject and object, activating a continuous exchange between artwork and visitor.

The Dome
The visual journey expands upward, involving the dome of the church, where hypnotic visual animations unfold, amplifying the immersive experience.

A majestic projection brings the dome ceiling to life, transforming it into a place of convergence between earth and sky, between physical space and imagination.

This vertical projection breathes new life into the architecture, creating a new-generation wall fresco through digital imagery and video mapping.

Sound experience
The sound dimension, with its deep and engaging rhythm, punctuates the movement of the images, creating an atmosphere that is both mystical and contemporary.

Music is not a simple accompaniment, but a fundamental element of the installation: a guide to the audience’s emotions.

The projected gazes come alive through sound, establishing an emotional and intellectual bond with the visitor and immersing them in a reflection on memory, identity, and time.