Outdoor art: 9 must-see places in Europe this summer

Outdoor art: 9 places to visit this summer in Europe

Art and nature are an inseparable pair, a mutual relationship intertwined with proposals and kinship. During the summer, there are many places dedicated to sculpture in particular that come alive with visitors from all over the world. Thus, contemporary art becomes a great company for those who want to spend a few days outdoors away from the resorts.

In the name of sustainability and in complete harmony with the environment, works of art take on new meanings, enliven the panorama and tell stories that transcend the artistic and creative realm. Especially for the little ones, open-air art is a direct encounter with materials, with their texture and ability to interact with the surrounding space. Below is a short guide to the most interesting open-air museums in Europe fromItaly up to Norway.

Sculpture Park Kloster Schontal (Switzerland)

Half an hour from Basel and about an hour from Bern and Zurich, is the monastery of Shental. Since 2000, it has been transformed into a cultural meeting place. Situated among the hills. He swears, his collection of contemporary sculptures is in close dialogue with nature. The private art walks start from the monastery’s Romanesque church, which houses a gallery for temporary exhibitions.

Seminars and inspiring retreats can be held in the halls of the ancient Benedictine monastery. The guest house of the monastery also invites individual visitors to stay for a while and enjoy the peace and quiet. The future of Schöntal Monastery is secured by a non-profit foundation. Until October 29, the program includes a personal exhibition dedicated to the German sculptor. Ulrich Rukrim.

Château La Coste (Provence, France)

Located in the heart ProvenceBetween Aix-en-Provence And Luberon National Park, Château La Coste is a vineyard where wine, art and architecture live in perfect harmony. The estate offers 38 major works of contemporary art, from Alexander Calder To Anselm Kieferpermanently planted in nature, on 124 hectares of organically cultivated vineyards.

Château La Coste continues to evolve with new projects and installations in the works, including recently Richard Rogers Galleryexhibition area of ​​120 m2, cantilevered on a hill among trees, above an ancient Roman road and facing the ancient ruins La Quil. But the flagship stays there Promenade d’Art and Architectureand a real gem not to be missed.

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Kreller-Müller Museum (Otterlo, The Netherlands)

It contains the world’s best collection of works Vincent Van Gogh and masterpieces of such masters as Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian. The museum is a treasure De Style and futurism and will surprise you with exhibitions of contemporary artists. Instead, in the sculpture garden, you can walk among the works Barbara Hepworth, Jean Dubuffet, Martha Pan and many others.

Architecture lovers should not miss the museum buildings. Henry van de Velde and Wim Quistpavilion Gerrit Rietveld and pavilion Aldo van Eyckalways in sculpture garden. Its location in the very center Veluwe and the unique combination of art and nature makes Kröller-Müller a place for rest and relaxation. A unique place for young and old.

Ekebergparken (Oslo, Norway)

Ekeberg’s history, beautiful nature, magnificent views and art collection will give visitors an unforgettable experience. The park is large, with forest, protected walking paths, city and fjord views, and world-class art.

As of 2021, the collection consisted of a total of 43 works, which was later supplemented by two new sculptures and installations: We’ve come with peace by Huma Bhabha (installed April 2021) e Fountain L’oiseau Amureux Niki de Saint Phalle (established in October of the same year). sculpture park presents works, among other things, Jaume Plensa, Salvador Dali, Auguste Rodin, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Jenny Holzer, James Turrell and Damien Hirst.

Jupiter Artland (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Jupiter Artland features a prestigious collection of street sculptures, complemented by an annual commission program in which artists are invited to create their finest work in dialogue with the landscape. This one-of-a-kind program, one of the best in the world, has produced outstanding permanent works of art by artists such as Charles Jencks, Phyllida Barlow, Christian Boltanski, Helen Chadwick, Nathan Coley, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Anya Gallaccio, Andy Goldsworthy, Anthony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Tanya Kovatz, Cornelia Parker, Joana Vasconcelos, Rachel McLean and Tracey Emin.

A true “living collection”, Jupiter has been described as “an open-air laboratory; a place where new things enter into a dialogue with things that already exist, allowing them to grow in people’s imaginations.” Led by founders Nicky and Robert Wilson, Learning on Jupiter takes inspiration from art and nature and runs throughout the year, offering free guided tours and hands-on workshops.

Wood of Dean Sculpture Trail (Coleford, England)

The Dean Sculpture Forest Trail offers over three miles of sculpture in the heart of an ancient English forest. For nearly 40 years, the Les Dean Sculpture Foundation (FODST) and Forestry England they have housed the work of some of the most important artists in the world.

On the route, which is free and open every day, visitors encounter iconic works, including those by Peter Randall Page and Cornelia Parkeras well as later works Natasha Rosling, Christina Veasey and Julian Wilde. The Dean Sculpture Trail welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually. Curiosity: Forest of Dean is not an art gallery, and while there are walkways and directions, you won’t find labels or information about the works. Visitors are encouraged to discover and explore the works on their own.

Art Park of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation (Guarene, Italy)

Art Park Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundationon the hill of Holy Lickery, is a large permanent sculpture park. It occupies a hillside overlooking forests, meadows and fortresses: a corner of extraordinary beauty, belonging to the viticultural landscapes Lange, Roero and Monferrato. The park extends the activities of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation, created in 1995 and dedicated to contemporary outdoor art.

The park is a place of meeting, balance and dialogue between nature and the work of contemporary artists from all over the world, set next to the rows of the Nebbiolo vineyard, among willows, cypresses and oaks. Designed by landscape architects. Lorenzo Rebediani and Vera Scaccabarozzi and is inspired by the mosaic tiles from the fields, walnut groves and vineyards that surround it. Open to the public, the Art Park can be visited along the promenade, designed with many walkways and views of the works and nature. Some of the installations were commissioned by the foundation specifically for the park.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (Bretton Hall, England)

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a leading international center for modern and contemporary sculpture, located on an 18th century estate in West Yorkshire. Established in 1977, Yorkshire Sculpture Park was the UK’s first sculpture park and the largest of its kind in Europe.

It is in Europe that you can admire human family Barbara Hepworth complete, along with an important collection of sculptures, including bronzes by Henry Moore and works Andy Goldsworthy, David Nash and James Turrell. YSP has been nominated Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2014 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017.

Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery (Bale, Croatia)

Wine hotel and winery Meneghetti, property Relays and locksimmersed inIstria between vineyards and olive groves, a new sculpture garden with a series of monumental works by the Belgian artist Arne Queens. Spread over 120,000 square meters of the newly opened cellar and wine complex, as well as the hotel park, an open-air exhibition curated by a Berlin-based art consultant. Rainer Opoku, offers an enchanting fusion of modern sculpture and rural nature, bringing new color and light to the property.

The first exhibition, entitled “Lupins”, inspired by the typical flower of southern Istria, which symbolizes the imagination and the cycle of life, will be open until December 2024. The new sculpture garden marks the first of many other exhibitions and cultural programs at the property, in an ongoing effort to present contemporary art to the region.