There are certain places that transcend the boundaries between art, architecture, and nature, and become landscapes of the soul. Arte Sella (link: https://artesella.it/en/) is a shining example of it: an initiative that for more than 30 years has transformed the woodlands of Val di Sella in the province of Trento, north-east Italy into a place of experimentation, blending myriad forms of creative expression and fostering dialogue between them.
The collaboration between Zintek and Arte Sella, which began in 2023 with the completion of Carlos Marreiros’s work Frammenti di luce, continued this year with the refurbishment of the Ersilia Botanic Bistro and the publication of Arte Sella between Architecture, Nature, and Humanity: a monograph we were delighted to unveil at the open-air museum on 26 September.
The book starts with an introduction by Giacomo Bianchi, the foundation’s president, who outlines the project’s philosophy and describes how it has evolved. This is followed by a personal reflection from Carlos Marreiros on Frammenti di luce — a work partially clad in Gold zintek® — revealing the creative process behind his installation and its symbolic meaning.
The architect Nicola Chiavarelli recounts how he gave the Ersilia Botanic Bistro a fresh lease of life, while Professor Marco Imperadori offers an architectural and technical analysis of both works.
The volume also features a technical editorial on the details found on the Bistro’s roof and a section dedicated to Zintek and the firm’s most iconic structures.
The monograph — packed full of photographs — is much more than a simple collection of essays: it bears witness to the transformative power of art and the potential for building genuine dialogue between humanity and nature.
