ItalyTraveller experience.

In Borgo Valsugana, (province of Trento), in the woods of the Sella Valley, you can see an innovative form of contemporary art. Along a four kilometre route, visitors come across the works of artists from every part of the world. Dozens of organic, natural and biodegradable constructions have been created using materials found in the forest itself: stones, tree trunks, branches and leaves.

Every two years Arte Sella displays a number of new works, the creative evolution of which can be followed over time. Perhaps the most fascinating and revolutionary aspect of the project is that many of the three dimensional works are left "abandoned" in the wood, to be slowly reabsorbed by the natural environment from which they originated.

Giuliano Mauri's "Cattedrale Vegetale" (Arboreal Cathedral) is, arguably, the most impressive piece of Sella Arte. Constructed in 2001, this living sculpture consists of a cage made from wooden poles, assembled to represent the columns of a church nave. Inside this cage, Mauri planted eighty hornbeam saplings. The artist claims that, in fifteen years time, the supporting structure will have gradually decayed and the hornbeams will have grown to form a completely organic "cathedral".

Although summer is the season when Arte Sella comes alive with the most events and creative workshops, it is well worth visiting the site in the autumn and winter months as well, when an unforgettable, almost magical, atmosphere pervades the woods and the entire "Art in Nature" route.

Open:
Late March, April: weekends only; May, June, July.
August, September, October: every day;
November and December: weekends only

Arte Sella
Corso Ausugum 55-57
38051 Borgo Valsugana (Tn)
Tel: +39 0461 751251''
www.artesella.it