Art Park La Court, the visionary and creative project of Michele Chiarlo, celebrates the union between wine and art among the vineyards of Monferrato, in a landscape environment recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in La Court, the estate of Chiarlo on the hills of Castelnuovo Calcea, in the province of Asti, the artistic park became the symbol of the dialogue between art and vineyard.

A day at Art Park La Court

A History of Art and Wine

The history of Art Park La Court began in the early years of 2000, when Michele Chiarlo had the "vision" to transform his first vineyard into an ever-changing artistic park. Its goal was to create an interactive route through the vineyards, where art works could actively involve spectators, immersed in a spectacular landscape.

In the summer of 2003, when Art Park La Court was inaugurated, it immediately became clear that it was not only an exhibition between the vineyards, nor a simple open-air museum, but a work of art itself, inserted in a suggestive context. Art Park was born to transform the landscape, to make the agricultural environment a living fairy tale, a place where work and creativity could find the right balance.

Art that transforms the landscape

As described by Cesare Pavese, Art Park intended to open the doors to a fabulous scene, to an event unknown to memory and imagination. The "vision" of Michele Chiarlo in the 2000s was to transform the vineyard into an artistic construction site in continuous change. To achieve this ambitious project, he chose a place of election: the La Court estate, with its twenty hectares, three farmhouses and two hills in the municipality of Castelnuovo Calcea, where he cultivated the best grapes for Nice and Barbera d’Asti.

To lead this "transformation", he called to himself Giancarlo Ferraris, a painter of Nizza Monferrato with whom he had a long creative collaboration, being Ferraris the artist of all his labels. "It was a Titanic enterprise, perhaps the most fun of my life," says Ferraris. "I have gathered a dozen artists, friends and artisans of the highest level to work together. Ceramists, blacksmiths, sculptors, painters and mosaicists: everyone's skills were integrated with those of others, making projects more interesting because they were shared. It was a sort of warholian factory in Castelnuovo Calcea," he continued.

A Diving Route between Art and Nature

"The idea was to create an interactive route through the vineyards," recalls the artistic director. "We did not want simple installations, but a place of active meditation, in which works of art created a movement of participation of spectators, already immersed in a spectacular landscape. We visited many artistic parks, but we wanted something revolutionary: art and nature had to merge into one experience."

And so, next to the sculptures of Luzzati, the park is dotted with works of internationally renowned artists, including the interventions of Ugo Nespolo, Giancarlo Ferraris and Chris Bangle. These images immerse the visitor in archaic and fantastic atmospheres, stimulating reflection on the relationship and harmony between man and nature, creating meditative spaces and observation points.

The artistic journey, conceived by Emanuele Luzzati, winds between different places and presents iconic works that represent the natural elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire. After twenty years since its foundation, Art Park La Court remains an immersive artistic experience, in a context of breathtaking landscapes.

The La Court Art Park represents a harmonious fusion of wine and art, transforming a vineyard into a place of inspiration and contemplation. The Art Park stands out for its interactive path, iconic works of art and perfect integration with the surrounding nature. This enchanting place invites visitors to immerse themselves in a unique artistic experience, where the boundaries between art and nature dissolve.

The Art Park La Court is an immersive artistic experience that allows visitors to discover elements that are an integral part of the landscape, in perfect symbiosis with the natural context. The park houses a series of works of art that blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment, offering a deep connection between art and nature.

The itinerary in the vineyard of Art Park La Court

In the barn of Cascina La Court, exhibitions and cultural events are organized. Here you can admire "Madre Natura" by Emanuele Luzzati, a monumental work inserted in the park in 2014. This sculpture is a tribute to the vital force of nature.

Another work by Luzzati in the park is "Site of Water". This sculpture features a clay mermaid at whose feet flows the water that descends along the hill, exploiting the natural slope. This element accentuates the relationship between water and the surrounding landscape.

"Site of Fire" is another work by Emanuele Luzzati in Art Park La Court. This installation represents a large sun within an astrolabe and recalls the mysterious meanings of fire and sun, ancient and alchemic symbols.

along the route, you can admire the "Teste Segnapalo" of Balthasar Brennenstuhl, Rolando Carbone and Dedo Fossati. These head-shaped sculptures are placed on the top of the poles to begin spinning and represent an ancient ritual of protection of the vineyard from diseases.

The "Porta sul Vigneto" is an installation created by Ugo Nespolo to celebrate the birth of Nice wine – The Court Vigna Veja. This work was created in 2013 and presents the label of the Turinese master.

Inside the Cascina Castello, there is the space dedicated to cinema on the hay. Here you can immerse yourself in history through the "Archivio Visuale dei Piemontesi Illustri". This exhibition celebrates some famous Piedmontese characters who have left a mark in history, and each of them is dedicated an artistic footprint.

The Observatory is a brick tower from which you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the vineyards, villages and hills of Barbera d’Asti.

Chris Bangle's "Big Bench" is another attraction in the park. This giant bench overlooks the vineyards and invites visitors to sit and enjoy the landscape. Other similar benches are present in several panoramic points of the Langhe and the Monferrato, creating a collective experience shared by all.

Next to the giant bench you can admire a beautiful painting dedicated to Umberto Eco, created by Giancarlo Ferraris, Artistic Director of Art Park La Court.

Finally, "Sito dell'Aria" is a huge iron-crafted aircraft made by Emanuele Luzzati, inside which large coloured ceramic birds are released. This work recalls the element of the air and offers a fascinating visual experience.

Art Park La Court is a place where art blends with nature, offering an immersive experience that invites visitors to reflect on the connection between man and the surrounding environment.