The city of Volterra (Tuscany), ushers in the Christmas season with alabaster, its most celebrated product. The precious translucent stone forms the “Stone of Light” sculpture in the central Piazza dei Priori, due to be inaugurated on the 8th December 2020.
The installation of blocks of “arnioni” (the technical name for the natural kidney-shaped fragments of the mineral) has been created by 22 alabaster craftsmen and coordinated by designer Luisa Bocchietto. Ms. Bocchietto, former president of the World Design Organization, is the designer of the award-winning Serralunga Vas-One plant-pot shaped lamp.
The monumental installation, with light shining through the centre of the stone construction, is intended by Volterra to symbolize rebirth. The local alabaster quarries, which have been used since the times of the Etruscans, are considered to produce the world's best quality of the mineral.
The theme also launches Volterra's candidacy as Italian Capital of Culture 2022, presently held by Parma, whose “year” of 2020 has been extended over 2021 to compensate for the pandemic lockdown.
Info: info@volterra22.it www.comune.volterra.pi.it
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