International Open-Air Sculpture Symposium ScoglieraViva (June 20 - July 01, 2023) ScoglieraViva - 21st International Outdoor Sculpture Symposium

ScoglieraViva, the International Open-Air Sculpture Symposium, organised by the Municipal Administration of Caorle, returns from 20 June to 1 July 2023. Over the past thirty years, it has transformed the reef of the city of Caorle, in the province of Venice, into a veritable open-air museum.

The 21st edition of ScoglieraViva will feature three sculptors selected by the MoCA cultural association, which has been involved in contemporary art since 2006, organising exhibitions and events of international importance throughout the Veneto region and beyond. With this edition, ScoglieraViva returns to be an invitation-only event. The artists are selected through international scouting activities with a fixed presence of an Italian artist who this year turned out to be a woman under 30, Desirèe Pucci, from Pietrasanta (LU), class of 1994, an artist of rare refinement, determined to express grace and elegance in her works that come to life from blocks of marble.

This edition also boasts Rob Good, an English-born artist who has been living and working in Italy for a few years. He always tries to convey amusement in his works and the creation of clouds has become his hallmark. From Switzerland, ScoglieraViva welcomes Reto Steiner, an artist using a visual vocabulary that addresses various social, political and environmental issues. His works tend to incorporate time as well as space into an imaginary and experiential universe that gradually emerges. His works are exhibited in collections and public spaces throughout Europe.

The wonderful stage for the event is the long and ancient reef, formed by large boulders of Euganean trachyte, dividing the picturesque old town of Caorle from the sea and forming one of the most beautiful promenades on the Upper Adriatic. Amidst clouds of dust raised by the pneumatic hammers digging out the thickest part of the boulders and the finishing work carried out with various types of chisels, tourists and residents will be able to observe the work of the three sculptors for ten days. Their works will be added to the 132 already created over the years and are available online in the multilingual digital catalogue for a few days.

BOERO RENATA, Italy, Memorial Archetype, 2012. By proposing the aspects of the earth, sea and sky, the artist wanted to create a primordial form that praises the peace and harmony between the elements of nature.

BECK SIMONE, Italy, Finis Terrae, 2010. From the last offshoot of land, man has always pushed towards the sea, a perpetual symbol of the unknown. In this block, the artist represents the exchange of struggle between man and sea. It is a homage to Caorle, from where, while the sculptor was creating, he imagined his own land, Istria, another ‘finis terrae’, beyond the Gulf of Trieste.

CELIBERTI GIORGIO, Italy, Acqua [Water], 2000. The artist could only pay homage to the vital element par excellence. At the centre of the work is water, which carves holes in the rock similar to human footprints, emphasizing the centrality of this resource for the Earth and the life of the organisms it hosts.

GARD FERRUCCIO, Italy, Geometries over the sea, 2006. The sculpture, inspired by paintings from his geometric period, presents some movements, contrasts and undulations obtained in the rock with skilful texturing. Between stepped polishings and bush-hammering, the sculpture recalls the waves and ripples of the sea, marked by geometric rhythm.

ScoglieraViva was founded in 1993 by the local sculptor Sergio Longo, and in its previous editions, it was attended by sculptors from many different countries, including Argentina, Korea, Japan, and Israel, as well as many Italian sculptors. Today, this unique seafront art gallery is one of the most evocative places in the old Venetian fishing village and an attraction for thousands of tourists. Still, it is also a heritage for all citizens.

The presentation to the public and the Inauguration Ceremony will be held on Saturday 1 July at 9 p.m. in Piazza Vescovado. The artists and institutions will be present, the stages in the creation of the works will be recounted through words and images, and at the end of the evening, there will be a performance by the French duo TakT.

"The ScoglieraViva International Open-air Sculpture Symposium is one of the best-loved appointments that most characterises the cultural proposal of the City of Caorle," commented the Mayor of Caorle, Marco Sarto. "ScoglieraViva is a true open-air museum that the whole world envies us, and every two years it is enriched with new masterpieces. This year the programme of side events at the Symposium has been further enriched, to involve residents and guests as much as possible in the artists' creative journey".

The event is organised by the City of Caorle in collaboration with the MoCA cultural association, the Caorle City of Sport Foundation, the Caorle and Eastern Venice Tourist Promotion Consortium and the Pro Loco, with the patronage of the Veneto Region.