Today, Wednesday, November 9 (11:30 am) the winners of the “Art on Walks” Call will be presented at the Scarpa Hall of the Rome MAXXI Museum. In 2017, the Regione Lazio inaugurated an innovative project for the development and installation of contemporary works of art along the spiritual trails that cross the region. The initiative has involved artists and sector operators who had to address the historical and spiritual value of various trails and develop a series of artistic works capable of interacting and harmoniously integrating into the natural and urban landscapes.
The winning projects include Mariagrazia Pontorno’s Le radici auree (Golden Roots). The Fondazione Mondo Digitale and Valentino Catricalà, Artistic Director of the Media Art Festival, will develop the work at the Monumental Beech Tree in Rivodutri.
LE RADICI AUREE – GOLDEN ROOTS
by Mariagrazia Pontorno
Development: Fondazione Mondo Digitale
Rivodutri (RI): Faggio di S. Francesco
The area identified for the development of the project is the trail that leads to the Rivodutri Beech Tree, in the Province of Rieti, which has only recently been included in the registry of monumental trees and a historical pilgrimage site. Legend narrates that the beech tree was genetically modified to protect Saint Francis during a storm. The saint left a footprint in a nearby rock that is still venerated today.
Mariagrazia Pontorno will place three bronze sculptures on this trail. The sculptures, which were developed with local students, are conceived as symbolic prostheses of the sacred tree’s roots and will also serve as resting points for pilgrims on the trail.
