ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Artists as Arborists: Villa Medici's Tree Interventions

exhibition · 2026-05-05

At Villa Medici in Rome, the French Academy is turning tree maintenance into an artistic program. Director Muriel Mayette-Holtz invited artists to interact with the garden's century-old trees by dismantling, reassembling, or carving them. Recent interventions include Simon Rouby's installation "Le témoins" and sculptor Sylvain Ristori's work. Landscape architect Paolo Pejrone is also involved. The project reframes arboriculture as cultural production.

Key facts

  • The project takes place at Villa Medici in Rome.
  • The French Academy in Rome is organizing the initiative.
  • Muriel Mayette-Holtz is the director of the French Academy.
  • Artists are invited to cut, dismantle, and reassemble trees.
  • Tree trunks are used for sculptures and installations.
  • Simon Rouby created the installation 'Le témoins'.
  • Sylvain Ristori is a French sculptor involved.
  • Paolo Pejrone, an architect and landscape designer, is contributing.

Entities

Artists

  • Simon Rouby
  • Sylvain Ristori
  • Paolo Pejrone

Institutions

  • French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Villa Medici
  • Paris

Sources