THEGALLERY

Ah, father, I have been in a mouse hole, in the belly of a cow, and in the womb of a wolf, now I will stay with you. Tom Thumb-Brothers Grimm

The Chianti Sculpture Park is pleased to present “Step by Step”, a new site-specific project by the Sienese artist Marco Acquafredda

Taking inspiration from the fairy-tale figure of Tom Thumb, the work unfolds along the paths of the forest like an imaginary journey that connects literature, nature, and the spiritual dimension. Acquafredda chooses to return to the world “all the gold in the world” – the symbol of the unconditional love from the Grimm fairy tale – transforming humble natural elements into precious and shining presences.

The work

The installation consists of about 600 oak galls (cecidia), collected by the artist over the course of two years along the trails of the Park and the paths of his daily life. These natural growths, born from the complex relationship between the tree and its parasites, were gold-plated and relocated on the trunks of the trees.

The positioning of the galls follows the height of the artist and is used as a ‘unit of human measurement,’ small and finite compared to the vastness of creation. It is not a path designed to be followed slavishly, but a trail of points of light that invites discovery

 The Message

“I invite everyone to lose themselves & I invite everyone to find themselves again”

Acquafredda’s words define the essence of the interaction: the golden galls, destined for a natural and slow disintegration over time, become earthly stars—a nod to the ‘sweet rustle’ of the stars dreamed of by Rimbaud. His art is an invitation to slow down, observe the ‘rules of chaos,’ and rediscover matter as a bridge to the spiritual dimension.

The Artist

Marco Acquafredda (Siena, 1977) is a multidisciplinary artist whose research explores the deep dialogue between nature, spirit, and matter. Educated at the Institute of Art of Siena and the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence, his practice ranges from drawing and painting to assemblages and fusions. His work is never an isolated piece, but develops in a series that seeks to give shape to visible and invisible connections.

During his career, he has exhibited at many prestigious institutions, from the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome to Santa Maria della Scala in Siena. Among his most significant experiences are the collaboration with the Inner Room space, participation in international exhibitions of ceramics and contemporary art, and the experimental project Visionaria. As founder of the multidisciplinary collective TAT (Tempo Al Tempo), the artist promotes contemporary languages in the Tuscany area. Since 2025, his permanent work ” On Earth as it is in Heaven” is part of the Museo delle Vittorie of the Valdimontone Contrada of Siena.