by InTrieste
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Adriatic Sea, the Miramare Castle Historical Museum and Park in Trieste is unveiling a powerful new exhibition, Naturae. Environments of Contemporary Art, opening December 6, 2024, and running through November 9, 2025. Curated by Melania Rossi, this show explores the intricate relationship between nature and humanity, highlighting the profound ways in which the two are intertwined.
Drawing on works from over fifty pieces by eighteen contemporary artists, Naturae spans a wide range of artistic practices and cultural perspectives. The exhibition features pieces from some of the world’s most celebrated names, including Rebecca Horn, Hermann Nitsch, Marina Abramović, and Mimmo Paladino. Their works, which span multiple generations and geographic backgrounds, explore themes of beauty, time, and the human body in relation to nature.
Notably, the exhibition includes specially commissioned, site-specific installations by contemporary artists Pietro Ruffo and Josè Angelino, as well as previously unseen works by Italian sculptor Serse Roma and immersive pieces by Marta Roberti. The installation of these works in both the museum’s stables and its surrounding grounds enhances the interaction between art, nature, and history.
The exhibition’s theme resonates deeply with the castle’s storied past. Originally constructed in the 19th century by the visionary Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg, who designed the castle’s architecture and park, Miramare Castle was conceived as a retreat that harmonized with the natural world. This dialogue between the built environment and the landscape serves as an ideal backdrop for the exhibition, which underscores the ever-changing relationship between humans and the world around them.
One of the exhibition’s key pieces, TOWARDS YOU by the Italian duo Bianco-Valente, was first presented as a preview during the 2024 Barcolana regatta. It exemplifies the exhibition’s central idea: a space where nature is not only observed but integrated into the artistic process. Visitors are invited to experience nature as both subject and medium, as the boundaries between art and the natural world dissolve in this dynamic, immersive space.
Through its exploration of the complex interplay between the internal and external worlds, Naturae offers a compelling narrative about our relationship with nature. The exhibition presents nature as both an artistic element and a powerful force that continues to shape human existence, urging visitors to reflect on their own connections to the natural world.
Naturae. Environments of Contemporary Art is not just a visual journey; it is a meditation on the deep ties that bind us to the earth. The exhibition invites viewers to ponder the role of art in shaping how we perceive and interact with the world, using the beauty and complexity of nature to inspire introspection and contemplation.
