Life Electric
{{Short description|Iron sculpture designed by Daniel Libeskind on Lake Como, Italy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox artwork
| title = Life Electric
| painting_alignment =
| other_language_1 =
| other_title_1 =
| other_language_2 =
| other_title_2 =
| image = Wikimania by Rehman - Wikimania Takes Lake Como (20).jpg
| alt = Tall, abstract stainless steel sculpture consisting of two curving forms reaching upwards, set against a lake and mountains.
| caption = Front view of Life Electric on Lake Como.
{{Location map | Italy Lombardy#Italy
| border = infobox | float = center
| caption = Location of Como within Lombardy
| lat_deg = 45.8167
| lon_deg = 9.0833
}}
| artist = Daniel Libeskind
| catalogue =
| year = 2015
| completion_date = August 2015 (inaugurated October 2015)
| type = Sculpture
| material = Stainless Steel
| subject = Homage to Alessandro Volta
| height_metric = 13.75
| weight = 11,000 kg (11 t)
| width_metric =
| length_metric =
| diameter_metric =
| height_imperial = {{convert|13.75|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| width_imperial =
| length_imperial =
| diameter_imperial =
| dimensions = Height: 13.75 m (14.25 m with base)
| metric_unit = m
| imperial_unit =
| condition =
| city = Como
| museum =
| accession =
| coordinates = {{coord|45|48|55.4|N|9|04|48.9|E|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| owner = Municipality of Como
| preceded_by = Mons International Congress Xperience
| followed_by =
| website = {{URL|http://www.thelifelectric.it/}} {{dead link|date=August 2023}}
}}
Life Electric{{cite web|title=thelifelectric.it|url=http://www.thelifelectric.it/|publisher=Amici di Como}} {{dead link|date=August 2023}} (sometimes referred to as The Life Electric) is a contemporary sculpture by Daniel Libeskind, dedicated to the physicist Alessandro Volta (1745–1827). Completed in 2015, it is installed on the breakwater (Diga Foranea) in Lake Como, Como, Italy.{{cite web|title=Comune di Como|url=http://www.comune.como.it/|website=comune.como.it}}
The work was commissioned by the non-profit association Amici di Como. Libeskind, who established an architecture school in Como in 1988, donated the design to the city. Project documents state the design relates to the Rationalism movement in architecture, prominent in Como in the 1920s-1930s.{{cite web|title=Relazione generale e Studio di fattibilita' ambientale [General Report and Environmental Feasibility Study]|url=http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Relazione_generale_e_Studio_ambientale.pdf|website=www.comune.como.it|publisher=Comune di Como|date=July 2014 |accessdate=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208054959/http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Relazione_generale_e_Studio_ambientale.pdf|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}}
History
Construction of Life Electric began in September 2014. The estimated cost for the construction and pier reinforcement was reported as €599,926.07.{{cite web|title=COMPUTO METRICO ESTIMATIVO|url=http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Computo.pdf|accessdate=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043328/http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Computo.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} While Libeskind donated the design, the construction costs, including work to reinforce the pier, were funded by the Amici di Como through donations.{{cite web|title=AVVISO PUBBLICO PER MANIFESTAZIONE DI INTERESSE [Public Notice for Expression of Interest (Sponsorship)]|url=http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Manifestazione_di_interesse_per_sponsorizzazione.pdf|publisher=Comune di Como|accessdate=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624132726/http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Manifestazione_di_interesse_per_sponsorizzazione.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2016|url-status=dead}} The technical project review was conducted by architect/engineer Antonio Gianmarco Martorana Capsoni and validated by Mercury Engineering SpA.{{cite news|title=Graffetta|url=http://www.comune.como.it/|agency=Comune di Como|publisher=Maria Ceré|date=December 22, 2014}} {{dead link|date=August 2023}}
The initial target completion date was 1 May 2015, coinciding with the opening of Expo 2015 in Milan. However, the project experienced delays, reportedly including 19 days due to weather and 25 days for a summer break.{{cite journal|title=Alla città serviva questo dono [The city needed this gift]|journal=La Provincia|date=October 3, 2015}} Construction finished in August 2015, after approximately 119 additional days.
The official inauguration took place on 2 October 2015. Attendees included the mayor of Como, Daniel Libeskind and his family, Luigi Martino Volta (a descendant of Alessandro Volta),{{cite news|last1=Aia|first1=M.|title=In centinaia ai giardini C'e' pure il pronipote di Volta [Hundreds in the gardens, Volta's great-grandson is also there]|publisher=La Provincia|date=October 3, 2015}} and actress Nastassja Kinski. Events included a reception at the Yacht Club Como and a presentation at the Aero Club Como hangar.{{cite journal|last1=Brunati|first1=Daniele|title=Amici di Como e Magic Lake per Life Electric|journal=Magiclakecomo|date=Autumn 2015|volume=3|pages=38–45}} A local ice cream shop created a flavor named "Life Electric" for the occasion.
Location
Life Electric is situated at the end of the Diga Foranea breakwater (pier), which extends into Lake Como. This pier, named after the physicist Piero Caldirola, required structural consolidation to support the sculpture.{{cite web|last1=De Montis|first1=Luisa|title=Arriva la scultura di Libeskind: starà in mezzo al lago di Como [Libeskind's sculpture arrives: it will be in the middle of Lake Como]|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/cronache/arriva-scultura-libeskind-star-mezzo-lago-como-1054071.html|website=Il Giornale|accessdate=September 23, 2014}} The location places the sculpture between two other local landmarks associated with Volta: the Tempio Voltiano museum and the Faro Voltiano lighthouse. The pier is publicly accessible via the Lungolago Mafalda di Savoia promenade. The placement was intended to provide high visibility for the artwork.{{cite news|title=Libeskind, inizia il conto alla rovescia: lotta contro il tempo per il via al cantiere [Libeskind, the countdown begins: race against time for the start of the construction site]|url=http://www.corrieredicomo.it/libeskind-inizia-il-conto-alla-rovescia-lotta-contro-il-tempo-per-il-via-al-cantiere/|accessdate=January 7, 2015|agency=Corriere di Como}} {{dead link|date=August 2023}}
Structure
The sculpture stands 13.75 meters (45.1 ft) tall, or 14.25 meters (46.8 ft) including its base.{{cite web|title=Life Electric, inaugurata sulla diga foranea di Como l'opera di Libeskind. "Rilancerà il turismo"|url=http://www.comolarius.it/cultura/life-electric-inaigurata-sulla-diga-foranea-di-como-lopera-di-libeskind-30550/|website=Como Larius|accessdate=October 3, 2015}} It consists of two opposing sine wave-like forms made of calendared steel clad in 6 mm thick stainless steel (type 316) panels. The total weight is approximately 11,000 kg (11 t; 12.1 short tons).
At the base, a circular stone wall (75 cm high) contains a shallow pool of water (10 cm deep) intended to reflect the monument. The base was designed to allow seating underneath the structure.{{cite news|last1=Sada|first1=Michele|title=Ci riprendiamo il lago dopo l'incubo delle paratie [We take back the lake after the nightmare of the bulkheads]|agency=La Provincia|publisher=Diego Minonzio}} Due to its size and weight, the sculpture components were transported across Lake Como by barge and assembled on the pier using a crane.{{cite news|last1=Cantoni|first1=Davide|title=Life Electric, omaggio a Volta: l'acciaio di Libeskind si specchia nel lago di Como [Life Electric, homage to Volta: Libeskind's steel is reflected in Lake Como]|url=http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2015/07/27/foto/lago_di_como-119907128/1/#1|publisher=La Repubblica|date=July 27, 2015}}
The pier's structure required reinforcement before installation, involving underwater work by divers in early 2015.{{cite news|last1=Cam.|first1=A|title=Partito il cantiere per la scultura di Libeskind [Construction site for the Libeskind sculpture has started]|publisher=Corriere Della Sera|date=February 18, 2015}} The sculpture incorporates a waterproof LED lighting system with over 300 points and smoke effects, designed for nighttime illumination,{{cite web|last1=Campaniello|first1=Anna|title=Inaugurata Life electric di Libeskind: "Omaggio a Volta, amo questa città" [Life Electric by Libeskind inaugurated: "Homage to Volta, I love this city"]|url=http://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/15_ottobre_02/al-via-life-electric-libeskind-omaggio-volta-amo-questa-citta-630b9d7e-692a-11e5-a7ad-17c7443382c3.shtml|accessdate=October 2, 2015}} while the polished steel surfaces reflect the surrounding lake and landscape during the day.
Design Concept
File:Design - Life electric.jpg
According to the architect, the form of Life Electric is inspired by the electric tension between the two poles of a battery, honoring Alessandro Volta's invention.{{cite web|last1=Libeskind|first1=Daniel|title=Life Electric|url=http://www.thelifelectric.it/|accessdate=24 November 2015}} {{dead link|date=August 2023}} The project description positions the sculpture as an "idealistic third pole" connecting the nearby Voltiano Lighthouse and Voltiano Temple. The design is intended to evoke connections between light, wind, and water. Libeskind stated the work aims "to create geometries that connect the sky, lake and mountains," reflecting the Lake Como landscape and metaphorically representing Volta's scientific contributions.{{cite web|title="The life electric" per l'Expo: primo via libera all'opera di Libeskind ["The life electric" for the Expo: first green light for Libeskind's work]|url=http://www.quicomo.it/08/27/the-life-electric-per-lexpo-primo-via-libera-in-comune.html|accessdate=August 27, 2014}}{{dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{pull quote|The Life Electric is inspired by the electric tension between two poles of a battery, the great gift from Volta to the humanity.
|author=Daniel Libeskind
|source=As described in Como municipal project documentation{{cite web|title=Life Electric: Omaggio ad Alessandro Volta [Life Electric: Homage to Alessandro Volta]|url=http://www.comune.como.it/citta/libeskind.html|publisher=Comune di Como|accessdate=24 November 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20160114044303/http://www.comune.como.it/citta/libeskind.html|archivedate=14 January 2016}}
}}
Public Reaction and Controversy
The project generated public debate in Como. In October 2014, the local political group Adesso Como initiated a petition calling for a referendum on whether the sculpture should be installed at the proposed location. Concerns were raised by some citizens and architects regarding the potential visual impact of the large-scale sculpture on the lake's landscape.{{cite web|last1=Bertoglio|first1=Alessandro|title=Polemica Libeskind a Como, sarà lanciato il referendum [Libeskind controversy in Como, the referendum will be launched]|url=http://www.tvsvizzera.it/qui-frontiera/Polemica-Libeskind-a-Como-sar%C3%A0-lanciato-il-referendum-2706598.html|website=tvsvizzera.it|accessdate=October 12, 2014|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071820/http://www.tvsvizzera.it/qui-frontiera/Polemica-Libeskind-a-Como-sar%C3%A0-lanciato-il-referendum-2706598.html|url-status=dead}} By December 2014, the petition reportedly gathered 4,478 signatures, exceeding the threshold required to request a referendum.{{cite web|title=Libeskind, 4.200 firme: il referendum si fa [Libeskind, 4,200 signatures: the referendum is happening]|url=http://www.laprovinciadicomo.it/stories/Cronaca/libeskind-4200-firme-il-referendum-si-fa_1096777_11/|website=La Provincia|accessdate=December 28, 2014}}
However, in August 2015, the municipal government (giunta) decided not to proceed with the referendum. Reasons cited included the advanced stage of construction and the estimated cost of holding the referendum (€180,559).{{cite web|title=Libeskind, il referendum non si farà. Lo ha deciso la giunta [Libeskind, the referendum will not happen. The council decided]|url=http://www.laprovinciadicomo.it/stories/como-citta/libeskind-il-referendum-non-si-fara-lo-ha-deciso-la-giunta_1134565_11/|website=La Provincia|accessdate=August 5, 2015}}
Images
File:Flyer - Life Electric 01.jpg|Inauguration Flyer (Front)
File:The Life Electric.jpg|View from the Diga Foranea breakwater
File:View - Life Electric.jpg|Close-up view from below
See also
- Daniel Libeskind
- Como
- Alessandro Volta
- Rationalism (particularly in Como, e.g., Giuseppe Terragni)
- List of tallest statues
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- Archived Como municipal page on Life Electric: [https://archive.today/20160114044303/http://www.comune.como.it/citta/libeskind.html Municipality of Como Life Electric]
- Archived Definitive Project document: [https://web.archive.org/web/20151208054959/http://www.comune.como.it/export/sites/como/citta/progetto-libeskind/Relazione_generale_e_Studio_ambientale.pdf Relazione generale e Studio di fattibilita' ambientale] (PDF, Italian)
{{Coord|45|48|55.4|N|9|04|48.9|E|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Steel sculptures in Italy
Category:Outdoor sculptures in Italy
Category:Stainless steel sculptures
Category:Tourist attractions in Lombardy
Category:Tourist attractions in Como
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2015