Cluster Arredo, the symbolic work of the forests of Fvg returns to Expo Osaka 2025: from Udine, it will be itinerant in the region

The wooden installation that was the protagonist of the regional week at Expo 2025 in Osaka is about to return to Friuli Venezia Giulia, a global showcase for the regional production, tourism and cultural system coordinated by the offices of Piazza Unità, which have taken care of every detail. The result of the work of the Cluster Legno Arredo and the Cluster forestale FVG, in support of the departments of Productive Activities and Forestry Resources, the work “ Il legno genera vita ” is a mix of design and craftsmanship obtained from a 120-year-old silver fir trunk , coming from certified regional forests. Through an evocative sensorial narration, it offers visitors an immersive experience capable of stimulating all the senses, from touch to hearing.

The artist Davide Tramontini has hollowed out, smoothed and perforated the trunk, which weighs about 80 kilos, in strategic points, transforming it into a sculpture vibrant with light and sound; the internal lighting, diffused from the bottom upwards through the hollow body and the inclinations of the holes, generates a visual effect that recalls the branches of trees, transmitting the vital force of the material, while a musical box from the inside recreates the “soundscape” of the forest . Enclosed in a niche and embraced by a mirror that refers to the brilliance of mountain lakes, the trunk was carefully selected by Adriano Domini of the company of the same name in San Pier d'Isonzo, the only sawmill between Gorizia and Trieste, active for three generations .

“It took us weeks to identify the perfect piece in our yard: it had to be cylindrical, aesthetically harmonious, with grain capable of telling the story of the tree. It is a source of pride to see wood as the protagonist of such an important global event for the FVG region,” explains the owner, Adriano Domini. “I thank the Region and the two Clusters in our sector for involving us and for having transformed our sector over the years into a system capable of actively communicating and collaborating with both institutions and companies.” The pedestal, also in silver fir, contributes to the scenographic effect of the installation, accentuating the purity of its lines and natural brightness. The concept fit perfectly into the theme “ Art regenerates life,” curated by Mario Cucinella for the Italian Pavilion , and was able to communicate with the sensitivity of the Japanese public, historically linked to wood as a material.

“The installation aroused great interest among oriental visitors, who appreciated its tactile dimension, fragrance and sound, interacting with the work in an intense and prolonged way – said Carlo Piemonte, director of the Cluster Legno Arredo FVG -. The interest was not limited to passive enjoyment: many stopped for a long time to observe, touch and ask questions about the artifact on display. Among the elements that most intrigued was the natural scent of the wood . There were also many questions about the technical aspects, such as the wood species used and the overall weight of the artifact ”.

A much appreciated detail was also the distribution of wooden disks as gadgets , made with the same material as the installation. A small gesture, simple but significant, that received the enthusiasm of the Japanese public : the gift, in fact, was perceived not only as a memento of the visit, but as a sign of hospitality . The work is now expected at the headquarters of “Foresta in città” in Udine , but it is not a permanent location : its journey will continue in itinerant mode .