tree roots emerge from the ceiling in an installation by giuseppe licari

‘humus 2012’ by giuseppe licariceiling construction, trees’ roots, halogen lamps – dimensions variable photo © job janssen and jan adriaans  image courtesy of the artist

rotterdam-based sicilian artist giuseppe licari presents a network of tree roots hanging from the ceiling like foreign, organic chandeliers. his site-specific installation titled ‘humus’ –  which refers to the soil layer that is essential for the growth of trees and plants – features the extended prickly roots of trees affixed to the top of a constructed ceiling, transforming the room into a sort of underground lair. the work articulates a world where visitors are able to get an exclusive peek at a hidden world beneath a park or forest. the dead trees are presenting with their roots, the condition of the soil in which they have grown in their urban environment. the relationship between humankind and nature, growth and decay are central themes in licari’s work, which resonates with an echo of arte povera.

installation view photo © job janssen and jan adriaans image courtesy of the artist

the work depicts the underbelly of a forest in a gallery spacephoto © job janssen and jan adriaans image courtesy of the artist

central tree roots image courtsey of the artist

image courtesy the artist

photo © job janssen and jan adriaans image courtesy of the artist

image courtesy the artist

the roots seen from the adjacent roomimage courtesy of the artist

the artwork transforms the room into a sort of underground lairphoto © aad hogendoorn image courtesy of the artist

the audience weaving between the roots during the opening photo © aad hogendoorn image courtesy of the artist

image courtesy the artist

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