Yona Friedman's Largest Installation Opens in Abruzzo

On May 14, 2016, Yona Friedman and Jean-Baptiste Decavèle inaugurated 'No man's land', the largest installation ever created by Friedman, in Contrada Rotacesta, Loreto Aprutino, Abruzzo. The site-specific work spans over two hectares and incorporates 1,000 bamboo canes, 200 walnut trees, and white river stones. The bamboo structure evokes Friedman's concept of a museum without walls, while the walnut trees are engraved with an 'imaginary dictionary'. The project was realized through collaboration between the artists, Fondazione Aria (artistic director Cecilia Casorati), Associazione Zerynthia, and Mario Pieroni, who donated the land. Students from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, the Facoltà di Architettura di Pescara, and local art schools participated in the construction. A new foundation, Fondazione No man's land, will manage the site and develop future initiatives in synergy with Fondazione Aria. Friedman, a Franco-Hungarian artist and architect, participated in Documenta 11 and multiple Venice Biennales.