This bench project based at the Casa Degli Artisti sculpture park in Furlo, Italy was an opportunity for me to collaborate with another local artist. We were given four abandoned benches to redesign.
We immediately decided to keep the shape of the benches as we found them, as they have a very sculptural presence being made of raw stone slabs. As the benches are placed along one of the park’s pathways, we decided to link all of them together by making them he stops of a spiritual and physical journey the viewer can take:
The first bench is the “Find your way” bench. This is a bench that people who have lost they way or have a decision to take that could change their path can sit on to reflect upon where they are and where they want to go in the future. The second bench is the “Brain” bench. This is a place where people can sit to think about how to solve a particular problem. The third bench is the “Ask the stars” bench. This is a bench where people can take a moment to contemplate the stars and ask them for guidance. The fourth bench is the “Be light hearted” bench. We wanted this to be a place where people could relax and take some time to escape from life and take it in a more light hearted manner.
