ARENA FOR A TREE Venice – an Art Intervention by Klaus Littmann
The “Arena for a Tree,” an art installation that merges art and nature, is nearing its end in the lagoon city. Soon, we will no longer hear the chirping of the cicadas that have lived in the branches of the bald cypress, nor will we be able to use the wooden steps, designed to resemble the annual rings of a tree, as a place to rest. The installation provided a new perspective on our world and reminded us of the importance of careful stewardship of our environment.
“The bald cypress has the remarkable ability to pump up to 800 liters of floodwater daily, cool the surroundings, withstand storms, and endure extreme temperatures. These qualities make it particularly resilient to the challenges of climate change, which Venice also faces,” explains landscape architect Enzo Enea.
The Arena will remain anchored in Venice until July 31, after which the bald cypresses will be able to take root outside the pontoon, and perhaps still serve as a reminder of her performance in Venice even a hundred years from now.
ARSENALE NORD, Venice, ONLY until July 31, 2024
Tue – Sun, 11am – 7pm | free entry, free shuttle boat
The two sides of the Arsenale can be reached by water thanks to a free shuttle boat (between Arsenale Nord and Giardino delle Vergini) or via ACTV stop “Bacini – Arsenale Nord” or by foot from Campo de la Celestia, via the suspended bridge along the north boundary wall of the Arsenale.
Presented by Kulturstiftung Basel H. Geiger in collaboration with ECC Italy
Photos: Federico Vespignani, Claudio Martin
more about ARENA FOR A TREE, Basel 2021 / Zurich 2022 / Venice 2024
