The Architectural Forest

“Selva,” an innovative and immersive artwork by the renowned Italian sculptor and architect Eduardo Tresoldi, was unveiled in the historic Piazza Minicelli in the heart of Rome, the Italian capital. The work was supported and sponsored by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation as part of its cultural and artistic initiatives, located near the historic headquarters of the Valentino fashion house. The title “Selva,” meaning “forest” in Italian, reflects the philosophical concept underpinning Tresoldi’s vision, drawing inspiration from one of humanity’s earliest images of habitation: “the column as a tree.” The collection of columns installed in the square transforms into an architectural forest, with the symbolic columns reverting to their natural origin as tree trunks. The artwork also embodies the sponsoring foundation’s vision of creating conditions for the birth of new artistic beauty in a public space where the cultural history of the place converges with contemporary art.