A Creative Dialogue
OASI Contemporary Art and Architecture, nestled within Oasi Dynamo, hosts the solo exhibition of Cameroonian artist Pascale Martine Tayou, and will soon feature an outdoor sculpture park with works by renowned architects.
Art and nature meet in the Pistoia Apennines, thanks to OASI Contemporary Art and Architecture. Immersed within the 1,000-hectare natural reserve of Oasi Dynamo, OCA offers beauty resulting from the dialogue between human creativity and the wonders of our planet. After its inauguration in 2023, OCA has reopened its doors with a new exhibition. Accessing through a walk in the woods, one arrives at a sunny plateau, offering a splendid view of the surrounding mountains. What was once a vast cowshed until last year has been transformed into the museum space that hosts Love Letter from June to November.
Created in collaboration with Galleria Continua and curated by Marco Bazzini and Emanuele Montibeller, this is a solo exhibition by Pascale Martine Tayou: a Cameroonian artist known for his multifaceted works dedicated to environmental themes.
The exhibition hall showcases a journey through sculptural forms, artifacts, found objects, or those made with recycled materials, referencing both artisanal mastery and the remnants of a consumer society.
Such is the case with Plastic Bags: a monumental sculpture made from plastic bags, a symbol of the pollution produced by consumer society. Furthermore, while Poupée Pascale and Bantu Towels evoke the hybridization of cultures, the monumental frescoes and Colorful Stones on the walls allude to the effects of globalization. Finally, the neon work Love from Dynamo, 2024, pays homage to those who – to quote the artist – "in everyday life serve human values," starting with the Camp with which Oasi shares a border and the culture of living with kindness.
Above, the installation of "Love Letter," a solo exhibition by Pascale Martine Tayou, which can be visited at OASI Contemporary Art and Architecture until November 3 [Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm; oasycontemporaryart.com]. Below, at the entrance, "Plastic Bags," a sculpture made from plastic bags, symbolizing the pollution produced by consumer society.
Soon, the OCA experience will be even more immersive, thanks to an outdoor sculpture park. From next year, it will be possible to enjoy a walk in nature, punctuated by works by architects such as Alejandro Aravena, Stefano Boeri, Michele De Lucchi with Mariangela Gualtieri, Kengo Kuma, Davide Quayola, Diana Scherer, Matteo Thun, and Edoardo Tresoldi. An exploration of the human-nature relationship, aimed at seeking ways to make it increasingly harmonious, with the optimistic outlook and pragmatic attitude of Dynamo. Always with the aim of promoting the idea that protecting nature does not mean prohibiting its enjoyment but experiencing it with a culture of respect, for the third year, Oasi hosted the international meeting of National Geographic Explorers. Photographers, ecologists, marine scientists, and archaeologists supported by the National Geographic Society came together to share studies and explore new ways to increase the impact of research and projects dedicated to safeguarding the planet.
Given the growing awareness of biodiversity, a National Geographic Photo Masterclass was proposed. This was a unique photographic training experience, combining the excellence of National Geographic instructors, the natural reserve environment, and the comforts of Oasyhotel lodges. And to make it all even more unforgettable, the best shots from the participants will be published in National Geographic Italy.
