Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento, Sicily.

What’s going to continue causing a heated debate and culture clash at the Valley of the Temples in Sicily’s gigantic Agrigento archeological site until October 3?

An exhibit called “Contemporary Art for the Temple of Zeus” that prominently displays paintings and sculptures by over forty international artists amid temples, gardens, a villa, a necropolis and other ruins dating from 580 BC. The goal is to use the proceeds to further restore the Temple of Zeus. And perhaps cause a heated hullabaloo.

Here’s a random sampling of the sculptures on display (*) at the Temple of Concord, the Villa Aurea garden and other sites. Museum employees tell The Idiot that half the visitors like it, half don’t.

What do you think?

* There’s no catalogue available which is why I have, unfortunately, been unable to identify specific artists. But you get the, uh, picture.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord in Agrigento.

Contemporary art at the Temple of Concord at Agrigento.

Contemporary art in the Villa Aurea garden at Agrigento.

Contemporary art in the Villa Aurea garden at Agrigento.

Contemporary art in the Villa Aurea garden at Agrigento.

Contemporary art in the Villa Aurea garden at Agrigento.

Contemporary art in the Villa Aurea garden.

Contemporary art near the Temple of Zeus at Agrigento.

Photos and Text: Joel Stratte-McClure

Internet connection by a very gracious Hotel Costazzurra in San Leone (Agrigento)

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."