Diametri – Land Art in Sorrento by Marco Stefanelli

An art installation that transforms a garden into a surreal landscape.

Turin-based designer and artist Marco Stefanelli likes to explore poetic concepts using contrasting materials. For example, his 21g concrete lamp references the soul with a light captured in clear resin. The Brecce series features lamps made from cedar wood logs and resin with integrated LED technology. Likewise, the Diametri table light combines a horizontal log section with an LED light and resin to explore the dialogue between the geometries of nature and the clean aesthetic of contemporary designs. The Diametri (2019) Land Art in Sorrento project continues the original Diametri lamp concept to provide a creative twist on public artworks. Made for the beautiful garden of Villa Zagara in Sorrento, Italy, this sculptural installation brings a dreamlike feature to a serene outdoor space.

To create this piece, the artist used the trunk of a (long dead) century-old oak tree, dividing it into six parts. Large and imposing, the trunks are also arranged in a seemingly random pattern. They invite visitors to both walk among them and enter a surreal world filled with surprises and unexpected details. Circular elements with amber and molten lava colored resin glow thanks to LED lights. As they illuminate the wood, the bright resin accents enhance both the organic features and the beauty of the oak tree. They highlight every line, age ring, and perfect imperfections. Over time, nature will take over the installation. Blades of grass will sprout from the cracks, while moss and lichen will make the surface of the bark their home. Slowly, the century-old tree will begin a new life in this tranquil garden. Photographs© Marco Stefanelli, Villa Zagara.