IN SILVA

IN SILVA is an artistic installation that explores the vital connection between the plant world and the planet's survival, highlighting the importance of preserving our natural heritage.

The recent reforestation of a 17-hectare terrain near Bologna serves here as the starting point for a broader reflection on the relationship between nature and humanity and the significance of environmental protection measures capable of maintaining a balance between natural areas and urbanized territories.

Native plant specimens were collected from the terrain and organized into a taxonomy based on botanical and microclimatic criteria. The selected samples were then encased in 24 hexagonal resin tiles of different sizes. Much like prehistoric insects or plants trapped in amber—a fossilized resin that preserves a moment of life "frozen" in a specific time and place—embedding plant fragments in the resin halts their decomposition, transforming the specimens into expressive, "talking" figures.

The structure of the installation and the positioning of the resin tiles replicates, in-vitro and in scaled size, the topography of their place of origin. Painted wooden rods of different heights, placed on irregularly shaped platforms, evoke the area's volumes and contours. In this way, the trees, shrubs, and natural elements of the forest are transmitted and made accessible to the public, in an abstract yet tangible representation.

Nature plays a pivotal role in shaping the final appearance of the tiles. The botanical specimens, artfully arranged within the molds, come to life when resin is poured over them, moving spontaneously in the viscous liquid until they settle into their final positions. To accommodate this 'performative' process of nature, the artist Chiara Zucchi collaborated with the technical sponsor Mapei—a global leader in adhesives, sealants, and construction products—to develop a resin catalyst component that allows the formation of a single cohesive cast. 

Research, thoughts, and production methods interact at various stages and in multiple forms through a process of manipulation, interaction, and interpretation of the characteristic elements of a specific space in time.

IN SILVA (2024)

Resin, Wood, Nature, Paint
 

COMPLETE INSTALLATION DIMENSIONS:

Maximum length: 390cm

Maximum width: 160 cm

Maximum height: 109 cm
Minimum height: 8 cm

The 24 artworks—each comprising a resin form and its pedestal—are designed to fit together in a puzzle-like composition, but can also stand alone as independent works.

The installation is versatile and can be arranged in various ways, such as by increasing the distance between the pieces or showcasing only a few pieces while keeping their original placement intact.

Artist: Chiara Zucchi

Technical sponsor: Mapei S.p.A

PREVIOUS EXHIBITON

29 Feb 2024 - 4 Mar 2024
Superstudio MAXXI, Milan
presented for the first time as Special Project at (un)fair Art Fair Milan.

28-29 Sept 2024

Villa dei Vescovi (FAI), Padua
Botteghe in scena Exhibition, curated by Jean Blanchard