Maria Lai's 27-km Ribbon Ties Ulassai Together: 45 Years of 'Legarsi alla montagna'
On September 8, 1981, Maria Lai, a Sardinian artist (1919–2013), conducted her interactive performance 'Legarsi alla montagna' in Ulassai, where she engaged the local community to wrap a 27-kilometer celestial-blue ribbon around buildings. This initiative arose from a war memorial proposal that was turned down by Mayor Antioco Podda, drawing inspiration from the local tale 'a Rutta de is'Antigus,' which recounts a 1861 rockslide that resulted in the deaths of three girls. The event featured flutist Angelo Persichilli, was captured by photographer Piero Berengo Gardin, and filmed by Tonino Casula. Initially regarded as folkloric, RAI later acknowledged it as the first relational art project. Lai referred to the ribbon's knots as representations of connections. Livia Montagnoli reflects on the performance for its 45th anniversary.
Key facts
- Maria Lai's performance 'Legarsi alla montagna' took place on September 8, 1981, in Ulassai, Sardinia.
- The work used a single celestial-blue ribbon of about 27 km to tie together doors, windows, and terraces of the village.
- The project was inspired by a rejected commission for a war memorial and a local legend from 1861.
- The performance lasted three days and involved the entire community.
- Photographer Piero Berengo Gardin documented the event.
- Flutist Angelo Persichilli provided music during the performance.
- Tonino Casula filmed the performance; his film is now at MADRE in Naples.
- RAI television covered the event, with a report by Romano Cannas.
- Critic Filiberto Menna recognized the work's innovative value early on.
- The work is now considered the first relational art operation.
- The ribbon was secured to Monte Gedili by climbers.
- The retrospective 'Essere è tessere' at MADRE runs until October 12, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Maria Lai
- Piero Berengo Gardin
- Angelo Persichilli
- Tonino Casula
- Romano Cannas
- Filiberto Menna
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Artribune
- MADRE
- RAI
- Biennale di Venezia
- Rai
Locations
- Ulassai
- Ogliastra
- Sardinia
- Italy
- Rome
- Cardedu
- Naples
- Monte Gedili