An idealized representation of a “vine forest” inspired by the Sangiovese grape variety to reconnect man and nature.
Remember…We are” is the translation of the title of the artwork by Marcela Castañeda which will be on display until the end of October on the lawn in front of the Osteria Meleto, within the Castello di Meleto estate in Gaiole in Chianti (SI).
The initiative is part of the broader cultural context promoted by the Chianti Classico Consortium , aimed at enhancing the synergy between contemporary art and the Tuscan landscape.
“Remember… We Are” unfolds on two closely integrated conceptual levels. On the one hand, it’s a poetic and political manifesto forcefully reaffirming the urgency of reconnecting with nature, the earth, and all that lives within. It’s an invitation to remember our deep roots in an era marked by environmental crises and identity disorientation. On the other, it’s the idealized representation of a “vine forest,” inspired by the Sangiovese grape, a symbol of Chianti Classico, of conviviality, and of the cultural identity of this region.
The work presents itself as a harmonious interweaving of text and matter, word and nature: the vine not only as a plant, but as a metaphor for rebirth , connection, and belonging. It is a project rooted in the landscape and time, and which speaks to the visitor directly and profoundly.
<< When the frenzy of everyday life forces us to move at inhuman speeds, art offers us reflection, time to explore what is happening, and what better setting for this need to slow down than the pristine nature of Chianti Classico, where Castello di Meleto has its origins. The Castle has established a strong bond with art and introspection since its origins: not only a destination for illustrious artists and “home” to pictorial masterpieces, it was also a hardworking Benedictine monastery, an era that still resonates in the place and its legacy. Bringing contemporary art into contact with the heart of Chianti Classico at the Meleto estate is also a sign of our responsible and conscious way of doing business, offering our guests a stay of great elegance with a constant focus on art and critical thinking . This is why we are extremely happy to be able to host “Remember…We Are” among our vineyards .>> states Francesco Montalbano, Director of Castello di Meleto .
Marcela Castañeda, born in 1992, lives and works in Florence. After completing her studies in Colombia and Italy, she developed an artistic practice that reflects on dwelling, understood as an extension of the body, and on the anthropological and symbolic dynamics of domestic space. Her works are distinguished by an interdisciplinary, poetic, and profoundly corporeal approach.