christian holstad + FPT industrial exhibit huge cornucopia made of plastic waste in venice

american artist christian holstad’s consider yourself as a guest (cornucopia), is a site-specific installation in venice, which aims to raise public awareness on the pressing issue of ocean pollution from plastic waste. supported by FPT industrial, who is also one of the main sponsors of the italian pavilion at this year’s venice art biennale, the artwork takes the form of an oversized cornucopia, an ancient symbol of luck and abundance, whose symbolism is distorted by the material it is made of: domestic plastic waste.

installation images by francesca bottazzin, construction images by marco antinori

upon request of FPT industrial, a company of CNH industrial specialized in engines, curator milovan farronato invited christian holstad to produce an artwork which could spark a discussion on pollution. consider yourself as a guest (cornucopia) draws from the constant news about ocean pollution around the world, aiming at bringing attention to the problem in a clear and immediate way, literally pulling plastic waste from the bottom of the sea and using it in the construction of the piece.

‘a past neighbor had a sign on their door which read “consider yourself a guest”. I walked past it each day for years and it became an unintended mantra’, notes christian holstad. ‘our dependence on plastics is not sustainable. its effects are swelling into continents in our waters. consider yourself a guest (cornucopia) is a reflection of our impact on the planet and our consumptive roles within the growing plastic mass.’

on display on the water of the canal grande, in front of the ca’ foscari university of venice from 9 to 11 may, and at the university courtyard from 12 may to 12 june, the site-specific installation marks FPT industrial’s opening to the arts on the occasion of the biennale. additionally, the project showcases the company’s deep commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, mainly of sea life, due to the importance which the production of marine motors has for FPT. since april this year, the company is a partner for the european clean sea life project which promotes awareness-raising activities aimed at protecting the sea from waste pollution.