studio job installs ornamented tree of life at OMA's faena forum in miami

antwerp and amsterdam-based design and art atelier studio job has unveiled ‘tree of life’, a permanent public art installation commissioned by faena group partners for the recently completed faena forum, a groundbreaking multi-purpose cultural venue designed by rem koolhaas of OMA in miami. known for their ornamental and opulent style, the sculpture is the latest work in an ongoing collaboration between the studio and the commissioners. the new installation features a hand-painted and gilded sculpture rich in ornamentation and designed to capture the essences of faena’s mission of fostering cross-cultural exchange.

studio job’s ‘tree of life’ pays homage to johann melchior dinglinger — one of europe’s greatest goldsmiths of the 17th century. ‘the piece is an important centerpiece in our lifelong practice of extreme craftsmanship and we were inspired to bring a contemporary take on these historic techniques,’ comments the creative practice. made of bronze and aluminum, rare marble, crystals and mosaic, the installation is a monumental and detailed work that references an array of memories, fragments, and symbolism of our collective memory. the grinding, welding, polishing, gilding, silvering, hand painting and assembly of this work has been technically engineered to be resistant to florida’s weather conditions.

the ‘tree of life’ is an ancient mythological and philosophical symbol alluding to the interconnectivity between the earth and the universe. the 8-meter sculpture stands on a massive marble plinth surrounded by red roses, acting as the base of an european oak tree with exposed tangled roots. its trunk holds a crystal-cladded globe endlessly spinning while its branches secure a red castle. on top of it, we see a rainbow with an inserted brain topped with a honey jar that pours fresh milk over a cowboy’s hat on to the sculpture.

image © designboom

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