The (Third) Paradise exists and, in Molise, it is in Macchia d’Isernia. An art installation, obviously. And the project bears the signature of the majestic Michelangelo Pistoletto. Yes, that’s him: the artist of the Venus of Rags, to mention only the obvious.
In the small town on the outskirts of Isernia, the installation – work on which began in mid-November – is in phase three as scheduled. The last one, the one that will give the green heart, its green imprint, to the project through the planting of plants, trees and shrubs.
A step back is mandatory: the administration of Macchia d’Isernia chooses to give a different identity to the small town, it wants it to become an attractive center in the cultural and tourist fields through sculptures and works of art that contribute to landscape enhancement. And on this ‘fertile soil’ the idea of was born TerraCielo, an open air museum born with the aim of redeveloping the small center through a marked cultural imprint.
The administrators want to combine the naturalistic protection of a heritage that is environmental wealth and biodiversity with the art form most suited to the places. May it not overturn them but, on the contrary, exalt them. Highlight them through art. Which becomes inspiration and collective work, not the heritage of a few.
“The idea was born from the will of combining nature and art – they explained at the time from Palazzo di Città – in a single project conceived with the intention of proposing an alternative way of protecting, promoting and valorising our environmental heritage by offering a different vision of the potential of our places and encouraging the definition of a different and broader environmental awareness. Furthermore, TerraCielo is an idea to be developed collectively: local communities, citizens, artists and art lovers they will be called to actively participate in the processes of creating and setting up the museum”.
The design and management of the outdoor sculpture park for the two-year period 2023 – 2024 is entrusted to the SM’ART Cultural Association – L’arte sm! led by architect Antonio Pallotta who has been involved in the organization of relevant cultural and artistic events for years. Like the PACI, the Città d’Isernia Auditorium Award.
We start with the “top of the range” (may the maestro forgive us!): Michelangelo Pistoletto. And his Terzo Paradiso which will be his first work of art. An installation created to date in large Italian cities, with aluminum or recycled plastic, wood for example. The variations are varied and always innovative, contextualized and inserted perfectly in the place where they are proposed.
And in Macchia d’Isernia you will experience an explosion of colors and scents in harmony with the context. TerraCielo’s idea is to install the Third Paradise through the planting of different tree species, thus obtaining a landscape that changes from time to time, during the four seasons, with a perennial and always new vitality given that it will be ‘dressed’ in different colors and intensities.
Thirty holm oaks approximately 1.3 meters high as trees, 20 variegated euonymous green and yellow leaves, 15 bush honeysuckle with green leaves, 15 creeping cotonasters, red berries with green leaves, 15 prostrate rosemaries. In addition to these, six ancient fruit trees will beautify the area surrounding the work.
In short, the Terzo Paradiso of Colle della Dolfa in Macchia d’Isernia is a place where art merges with nature, becoming its breath, its scent, its noise.
Since that day in November when the meaning of the installation physically began to be given, the months have passed which also allowed us to start a call for artists for a series of at least four artist residencies. The tender expired a few hours ago, fifteen requests will be examined by a special commission that will evaluate projects and ideas.
It is obvious that Terzo Paradiso has the patronage of Cittadellarte–Fondazione Pistoletto and the Molise Region.
“Cittadellarte, in addition to being a physical place, is a community – explains the Foundation – with a vision. A meeting place for artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and activists with the aim and, indeed, the vision of creating responsible social transformation. The Third Paradise is the synthesis of research aimed at creating a trinamic balance between opposites. The first world and the second world represent nature and artificial reality created by man. The third is the balance between the two over time. In fact, the work depicts the symbol of infinity with the addition of a central part”.
Today the project and installation are at phase 3, the last. The planting of trees and plants.
The native plants that will allow you to create have been selected an oasis of biodiversity within the three circles of the Third Paradise, all perfectly suited to the climate and terrain of the area.
“Nature is intertwined with art – explain the creators of TerraCielo – creating a unique and evocative show, a place to reflect on the importance of respect for the environment and our relationship with it. TerraCielo is a continually evolving project, a symbol of hope and rebirth for our territory.”
Meanwhile, art that blends with nature and artists who choose Macchia d’Isernia to be inspired.
In short, the (Third) Paradise that cannot wait.
 Paradise cannot wait: maestro Pistoletto’s installation comes to life){kind=link}