Piazza del Vento (The Square of the Wind) is the poetic site specific installation designed by OBR, inspired by a Renzo Piano’s idea, for the Salone Nautico Internazionale di Genova (Genoa International Boat Show). It expresses the strong link between the city of Genoa and the exhibition promoted by Ucina (with the support of Spim). More than a landscape design and interactive square, it is an art work that underlines wind, sun and sea: the environmental and energetic phenomena that represent the legacy of the ancient Marinara Republic of Genoa.
The Square of the Wind is a new urban landmark and multisensory installation in the heart of Genoa’s harbor; it was conceived by Renzo Piano, designed by OBR and realized by Capoferri for the 57th Genoa International Boat Show (21/26th September 2017).
Paolo Brescia and Tommaso Principi, founders of OBR, quoted: We conceived a temporary installation which turnes into a permanent artwork, creating a public space where to celebrate the rite of urbanity on the sea, enshrining the unbreakable link between the Salone Nautico and the city of Genoa”
La Piazza del Vento allows all the citizens to interact with the environmental and energy phenomena of the sea, such as wind and sun.
“It consist of 57 masts in red maple wood and white steel (engineered and offered by Capoferri), 12 meters tall and bound together with textile cables with dacron triangular jibs inferred on. On the top of each mast a Windex is placed, sewing colored spinnaker’s fabric to form the shape of a “flame” highlighting the direction and the intensity of the wind”.
In order to enhance the interaction with the people, and to enjoy this amazing experience, OBR designed some double seat swings in between the masts, where to sit in couple in the shade of the sails while looking toward the sea.
This emotional experience can realize the claim of the 57th edition of the Boat Show: “where life and sea come together“.
Technical sponsors of the Piazza del Vento:
Capoferri spa, Harken, Gottifredi Maffioli, OBR, Studio Borlenghi, North Sails, Mure a Dritta, OneSails, Quantum Italy, Boris Production, Aster e Spim.
