Erika Verzutti's Banana-Segmented Bronze Centipede at Art Basel Parcours
Erika Verzutti's sculpture 'Centipede' was installed at Art Basel Parcours in 2017, located at Sportplatz, Rittergasse 5 in Basel. The work transformed an outdoor basketball court beside the Rhine River, temporarily halting play on the red asphalt surface. Cast in bronze, the giant centipede appears to be crawling, yet its body segments are composed entirely of bananas. This formal abstraction of natural forms invites consideration of flora and fauna's qualities, blending seductive and repulsive elements. The headless creature's curved fruit segments mimic an insect's exoskeleton, creating a monstrous yet organic presence against a concrete wall. Verzutti's approach recalls Antoni Gaudí's observation about the absence of straight lines in nature. The installation was documented online on June 13, 2017.
Key facts
- Erika Verzutti created 'Centipede' for Art Basel Parcours
- The sculpture was installed at Sportplatz, Rittergasse 5 in Basel
- It features a giant bronze centipede with body segments made of bananas
- The work was placed on an outdoor basketball court beside the Rhine River
- Installation temporarily paused basketball activities on the red asphalt court
- The sculpture has no head and blends seductive and repulsive qualities
- Verzutti's work references Antoni Gaudí's views on natural forms
- The project was published online on June 13, 2017
Entities
Artists
- Erika Verzutti
- Antoni Gaudí
Institutions
- Art Basel Parcours
- Art Basel
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Rhine River
- Rittergasse 5
- Sportplatz