Dispute over Giuliano Mauri's Cattedrale Vegetale in Lodi

A legal dispute has arisen between the family and association of artist Giuliano Mauri and the new municipal administration of Lodi over the paternity and valorization of the Cattedrale Vegetale, a monumental vegetal cathedral. The work was realized posthumously following Mauri's designs, with support from the Municipality of Lodi, the Lombardy Region, private sponsors, and the patronage of the Triennale di Milano. Construction began in 2010, involving the reclamation of the left bank of the Adda River and the erection of 108 wooden columns, each 72 meters high. The project took seven years and was inaugurated in April 2017 with critic Philippe Daverio in attendance. The monument became a popular site for events and tourism. In July 2017, the municipal council changed from the Democratic Party to the Lega, and Mayor Sara Casanova questioned whether the work should be attributed to the city or to the artist. Strong winds in September-October 2018 accelerated deterioration, toppling many columns. The municipality has closed access for safety and ordered an investigation into the collapse, which has been postponed to February 2019. The family and association demand recognition of Mauri's authorship, essential for the work's future.