ECB to install new artwork in front of main building

• Artwork by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone will be installed on 4 September 2015
• “Gravity and Growth” is a tree over 17 metres high, mainly made of bronze and granite
• One of three projects chosen by a jury following an international competition held in 2014

A sculpture by Giuseppe Penone, one of the leading representatives of the “Arte Povera” movement, will be installed outside the primary entrance of the main building of the European Central Bank (ECB) on 4 September 2015. Called “Gravity and Growth”, it measures 17.5 metres in height and is actually a tree made of bronze and granite with a cluster of gilded leaves.

“Giuseppe Penone's tree conveys a sense of stability and growth and is rooted in the humanist values of Europe in the most beautiful way”, said Benoît Cœuré, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and chair of the art jury which selected the artwork.

In 2014 the ECB launched an international art competition to find three artworks for different locations in its new main building. Some 59 artists from 28 EU countries were nominated to participate in the competition, which had a total budget of €1.25 million. The works finally selected as “representing European art at its best” were: a sculpture by the Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov, an installation by the British artist Liam Gillick and the tree by Giuseppe Penone; the first two being installed inside the main building. Penone’s tree will now take its place outside.

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Note:

Mario Draghi, President of the ECB, is due to inaugurate the three artworks on 6 October 2015.