Phoenix

Alice Grassi

The Mediterrean landscape is rapidly changing because of the death of  numerous palms. Plants that have been characterizing the typicalness of our landscape for centuries. In consequence of international commercial exchanges that involved our country, new vegetable species were introduced and spread like wild fire. among these was a dangerous parasite called The Punteruolo Rosso (rhynchophorus ferrugineus) the cause of the death of many age-old specimens of Phoenix Canariensis.

Installation views from the exhibition at Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Guarene D'Alba IT, “GE_09” curated by Filippo Maggia

The focus of my research is the identity of mutating landscapes and the disappearance of an essential element in Mediterrranean culture and an important mythological and symbolic reference: the palm. In different countries the palm has always viewed as a symbolic representation of rebirth and balance between life and death.

07- Phoenix- Alice Grassi 72

02- Phoenix- Alice Grassi 72

03- Phoenix- Alice Grassi 72

Project made possible with funds granted from the Fondazione Sandretto RE Rebaudengo (2009)