Installations path of Podere Lovolio
Podere Lovolio offers a unique immersive experience, where the artistic installations in the large garden intertwine with the beauty of the surrounding nature. Each work is designed to evoke deep emotions and inspire symbolic reflections, creating a path of inner growth for visitors.
In this visual journey, between Art and Nature, an emotional narrative unfolds, exploring the spiritual evolution of the individual, represented through the installations scattered throughout the garden. Each stage of the path invites reflection and offers a cue for a sensory experience that weaves together spirituality and earthly beauty.
Visit Podere Lovolio and respect the rules of this magical place.
The installation path
1. The Seed
Almost hidden in a glass case, the Seed is the work that begins the journey, just as it begins life in nature: the metaphor it conveys is that of potential life, as it contains the ‘whole’ within it. Its development and growth will be allowed by care and environmental conditions.
The hourglass was created by Evelina Ravaglia.
2. I was a Seed
Jim Ritchie’s work represents the second stage of the journey, the transformation of the Seed into a new entity.
Growth, transformation, and trust are the essential conditions for the magic of life and the realization of a unique and authentic existence to occur.
Accepting change and letting go of the past is necessary for human emotional survival and often represents the opportunity to bloom and be reborn. Allowing oneself to be touched by change, to grow, improve, and open the doors to the possibility of being oneself is the deepest meaning embodied in this work.
3. The Obelisks
This work embodies the third stage of the Seed, which, after transforming into a new entity, enters a more mature phase. Symbolically, the Seed passes through the gate formed by the two obelisks, between which emerges the Hourglass of Eternity, one of the Podere’s most impressive installations: its perpetual motion represents the passage from one world to another, the auspicious sign of essential evolution from one dimension—philosophical, moral, religious, esoteric, or material—to another.
The hourglass was created for the Podere by Emiliano: Il Maglio Emiliano Filippi.
4. The Stone Mills
Originating from Morocco, this work represents the fourth stage of the Seed, which has now become a new entity and is continuously subjected to harsh trials: crushed and ground, as happens to olives when passing through the stones of a mill, it lives, transforms, changes, and grows stronger. This work symbolizes overcoming difficulties, courage, and the trust inherent in resilience.
5. The Syncretic Temple
Representing the fifth stage of the Seed, the Temple is a captivating place, rich in ancient symbolism. Its lines evoke spiritual elevation, the next step after the difficulties the Seed has faced along its journey to reach this point. Guarding the Temple are four olive trees, named after the Evangelists: Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. Guests of the Podere are invited to spend a few minutes in the Temple and, symbolically, offer a reflection, a prayer, a note of thanks, or a written thought.
6. Lovolio
At this point of the visit, you find yourself at the center of the path, in the beating heart of the Garden. The Seed has matured and, in its new form, has become useful to itself and to others.
The work, explicitly inspired by Robert Indiana’s sculpture Love, echoes the name of the Podere and represents an invitation to cultivate within oneself the qualities of good olive oil: strength and resilience of spirit, transparency of actions and thoughts, gentleness of gestures and words, and, above all, love for oneself and for all living beings.
Olive oil, in fact, fully represents the final result of a natural process that starts from the seed and reaches this point in its most mature phase, offering a product made special by its history, its journey, and the dedication of the people who nurtured it.
7. The Avenue of the Seasons
The seventh stage of the Seed is represented by a very special work that came to life thanks to the ‘La forma delle Stagioni’ competition. On this special occasion, some local sculptors offered their interpretation of the evolution of being: the result is a striking avenue where the regular row of trees is interspersed with beautiful sculptural works, rich in meaning and symbolism.
8. The Rainbow
The next stage of the Seed’s journey is an explosion of pure energy, positive charge, and optimism: the sun’s rays shine and reflect all the energies that permeate the World, visible for only a few moments and as unattainable as the Rainbow, yet always appearing wonderful.
9. Zarathustra's Garden
This work represents, within the Seed’s journey, the magical place where thought finds the strength to become action. Here, Zarathustra – the Iranian prophet and mystic – leaves some very important messages for the guests of the Podere:
Wisdom accompanies the old age of being;
In life, it is important to have good thoughts, good words, and good deeds;
One must avoid bad reflections, bad words, and bad deeds;
It is necessary to move forward on the right path, acting for the good of life and not being led astray by evil;
One should not weep for the deceased, for their spirit rises to a higher level.
Also within the enchanting garden, a Mountain, which arrived at the Podere wearing its shoes, brings to guests the messages of Muhammad’s Miracle: if things do not happen by themselves, it is better to intervene so that they do; Love, Passion, Enthusiasm, combined with Technique, can move mountains!
Finally, there is the burning brazier, placed on the icon of Zarathustra, symbolizing the creative drive and enthusiasm that animate Podere Lovolio. The invitation is to enjoy everything that life has to offer.
10. Virgil the Virgin and Oliviero Oil
At the entrance of the Podere, the mythological ‘Foo Dogs’ proudly and majestically stand guard, named Virgilio Vergine and Oliviero Olio. Their history dates back thousands of years to Chinese tradition, where they served as guardians and protectors of Buddhist temples, embodying deep symbolism.
The two lions, female and male, represent yin and yang respectively, protecting the people and the building near which they are placed.
11. The Floating Temple
The Pagoda is truly a destination for pilgrimages. This is due to the context in which it is situated, so evocative and inspiring that it fills anyone who observes it with awe and admiration.
The Pagoda floating on the water is meant to be a metaphor for the experience of life: circumstances can be clear and secure, or at times stormy and dark, representing a daily challenge for every person.
12. The Energy Pyramid
The journey within the Podere concludes with an installation that reproduces the Great Pyramid of Cheops, not in its actual dimensions but maintaining the same proportional ratio: this is the key element for experiencing its great energetic power. Numerous studies and research conducted over time have confirmed that there is something extraordinary about its structure: here, the warm energy of the sky and the cool energy of the earth circulate and amplify, together providing strength to the people and objects within.
