ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hilario Isola's 'Santa Rosalia' at ARTEPARCO 2026 Reflects on Forest Health

festival-fair · 2026-05-12

In its ninth iteration, ARTEPARCO, a contemporary art exhibition located in the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, features a unique installation by artist Hilario Isola (born in Turin, 1976) entitled 'Santa Rosalia'. This three-meter tall sculpture, crafted from hand-shaped copper sheets, captures sunlight and will gradually oxidize to harmonize with its surroundings. It draws inspiration from the endangered Rosalia alpina beetle, serving as a barometer for the vitality of ancient forests. Isola's artistic approach often elevates nature, as demonstrated in works like 'Vita vitae' and 'Aruspici'. Additionally, a retrospective titled 'ARTEPARCO. Arte nella natura' took place at Fondazione Maxxi dell’Aquila from May 12 to 24, 2026. Beginning in 2026, ARTEPARCO will expand to encompass music, theater, and performances.

Key facts

  • ARTEPARCO is a contemporary art exhibition conceived by Paride Vitale.
  • The ninth edition takes place in the woods of Pescasseroli, within the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise.
  • Hilario Isola (Turin, 1976) created a site-specific installation titled 'Santa Rosalia'.
  • The installation is 3 meters high, made of hand-shaped and engraved copper sheets.
  • The work is inspired by the Rosalia alpina, a rare beetle at risk of extinction.
  • The sculpture initially gold, will oxidize over time to green and brown tones.
  • A jewel version of the work was made by master goldsmiths from Abruzzo.
  • A retrospective of Isola's work, 'ARTEPARCO. Arte nella natura', curated by Fanny Borel, was held at the Fondazione Maxxi dell’Aquila from May 12 to 24, 2026.
  • Pescasseroli is the birthplace of Benedetto Croce, born in 1866.
  • The Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise was founded in 1923.
  • Previous ARTEPARCO editions featured artists Marcantonio, Matteo Fato, Alessandro Pavone, Sissi, Valerio Berruti, Accademia di Aracne, megx, and Velasco Vitali.
  • ARTEPARCO 2026 includes a program of music, theater, and performances.
  • The project collaborates with Fondazione MAXXI and L’Aquila Capitale italiana della Cultura 2026.

Entities

Artists

  • Hilario Isola
  • Paride Vitale
  • Fanny Borel
  • Marcantonio
  • Matteo Fato
  • Alessandro Pavone
  • Sissi
  • Valerio Berruti
  • Accademia di Aracne
  • megx
  • Velasco Vitali
  • Benedetto Croce

Institutions

  • ARTEPARCO
  • Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
  • Fondazione Maxxi dell’Aquila
  • Fondazione MAXXI
  • L’Aquila Capitale italiana della Cultura 2026
  • Arteparco
  • MAXXI L’Aquila
  • Comune di Pescasseroli
  • PARCO1923
  • BMW Italia
  • GORE-TEX® Brand
  • BCC Roma
  • Generali
  • INWIT
  • Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
  • Fondazione Erminio e Zel Sipari ETS
  • Regione Abruzzo
  • Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza energetica
  • Touring Club Italiano
  • L'Aquila Capitale Italiana della Cultura 2026

Locations

  • Pescasseroli
  • Italy
  • Turin
  • Bagnolo
  • Cuneo
  • L’Aquila
  • Abruzzo
  • Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
  • L'Aquila
  • Foreste Vetuste
  • Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
  • Lazio
  • Molise

Sources