The extraordinary occasion and captivating setting led to the idea of involving the unique talent of an artist capable of grasping the essence of the material and transforming the trunk into something new and rare: Luca Gnizio.
As an eco-social artist who faithfully adheres to the three "RRRs", reduce - reuse - recycle with his inspiration and determination, he manages to create new levels of beauty, content and meaning out of what would normally be considered waste.
Using powerful creative gestures, the artist invites us into the tree, where the sap once flowed, to touch the wood, smell its fragrance and to feel the energy of the holm oak.
Here, you can lie down and contemplate the view overlooking Florence or the rocky wall of the old quarry inside Leonardo's wood from the two seats, one facing the valley and the other uphill. A deep basin carved into the trunk provides ample seating and an opportunity to connect with nature from the heart of the tree.
"Forsoultree speaks of beauty and respect and reminds us that nothing belongs to us on this earth, where we are simply passing guests – explains Luca Gnizio –: By physically entering the tree we can establish an intimate and sensory dialogue with that part of us that is innate. The real luxury of our times - concludes the artist - is the chance to observe the generosity and beauty of nature and enjoy the infinite opportunities it offers us. Forsoultree takes us into the depths of things, where primitive sensations are born, and connects us through our senses with a piece of eternity.”
Luca Gnizio's creative flair from the conception of Forsoultree to its completion has been captured on film by the director and filmmaker Fabio Bastianello.
Credits
Forsoultree, May 2023
from an idea and artwork of Luca Gnizio
Filming: Fabio Bastianello - Overall Pictures
Producer: Luca Gnizio
Starring: Luca Gnizio
Scene photographer: Donato Veneri
Original Music: Marco Madia
Sculpture execution: Frontera Gardens
Communication & Coordination: Christiane Bürklein
Created and placed on permanent exhibition in Villa San Michele, Fiesole, Italy
All rights reserved