Client
Location: CLAVESANA, Italy
Completion date: 2011
Artwork budget: $200,000
Project Team
Artist
CHRIS BANGLE
CBA SRL
Artist
FRANCESCO FERRERO
Overview
It's a large installation piece on the south side of the house: a metal and colored-policarbonate construct that resembles both a tree and a colossal lampshade of the Art Nouveau era (known as “Stile Liberty” in Italian). It is about 4.3 meters in height and the same in diameter and weighs over a ton; the square-steel “trunks” are painted two shades of sunset – a warm pale orange and a light blue violet. It is a good example of Chris’s philosophy to never accept an “A or B” compromise.
Goals
The goal was to have a shade tree above ground and a garage below; no real tree of these dimensions would have roots shallow enough to allow it. The mix or semi-transparent and translucent panels means it is bright underneath yet not hot, and the benefit of the colored panels is evident as the sun passes - spots of joyous color move across the grass, the house, and anyone enjoying life under it's dome!