Giuseppe Penone installs bronze trees among ruins of Rome's Baths of Caracalla

Giuseppe Penone's intervention 'Idee di pietra' at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome features four large tree sculptures installed in the ancient natatio, a covered Olympic-sized pool. The works—'Identity' (aluminum and bronze), 'Triplice', 'Idee di pietra, Olmo', and 'Idee di pietra, Ciliegio' (all bronze and river stones)—are on view from June 7 to October 30. Curated by Francesco Stocchi, the project is produced by Electa and promoted by the Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma. This is not the first contemporary art intervention at the site; it follows Michelangelo Pistoletto's 'Terzo Paradiso' in 2012 and works by Antonio Biasiucci, Mauro Staccioli, and Fabrizio Plessi in 2019. Soprintendente Daniela Porro noted that contemporary art is at home in the Baths, as the Severan emperors adorned them with statues and decorations. Penone chose the tree as a symbol of nature becoming sculpture over time, stating, 'Non è permesso all’albero dimenticare.' Stocchi explained that the intervention continues a dynamic tradition of interpreting ruins, referencing Mahler's idea that ruins are not 'cult of ashes' but 'custody of fire.' The works are existing pieces selected to harmonize with the 28-meter walls. For the first time in Italy, a companion volume, 'Respirare l'ombra,' will be published by Electa.