In the 1990s, the La Lestra Cultural Association, was strongly active in the artistic sphere in the Tarquinia area. They organised a series of summer events, called ‘La Piazzetta’, in Piazza Soderini. This series was a unique experience of shared art.

The creators of the project were Marino Ceccarini, a.k.a. Zuccanti, and Giovanni Calandrini, who, with the collaboration of all the other artist members of the Association, including Giuseppe Cappellacci, Marco Ferri, Brian Mobbs and Marco Vallesi, drew up designs for ceramic sculptures to be created by passersby in the square. Any citizen, adult or child, or even passing visitors who wanted to contribute a personalised decoration could participate.

The resulting works are imaginative and have a deep civic sense. They combine the skilful work of the artists with the amateur touch of a community that is proud to now be able to identify itself in small monuments that embellish the city centre.

First work: ‘A Flower for Tarquinia’.

Donate your flower to the City.

Second work: ‘The Tower of Turusch’

What would you like to keep in the Tower?

Third work: ‘Noah’s Ark’

What would you like to save on the Ark?

Fourth work: ‘Vincenzo’s Tree’

Competition year 2001

Winner Marco Ferri

The letters of the tree crown, decorated by the community, compose the text of the poem ‘To the Earth’ by Vincenzo Cardarelli, who was born in a building not far from where the sculpture was placed.