LucadeaLuca is the creator of this site. He travels the world for work and loves taking photographs and sharing them with all his visitors.

Daniel Buren’s Installation in La Spezia.
While walking around La Spezia, in Liguria, several months ago, I came across this striking contemporary artwork and naturally had to stop and photograph it. Its bright colours and geometric shapes immediately caught my attention, creating an interesting contrast with the surrounding urban landscape.
The installation is located in Verdi Square, a public space in the heart of the Italian coastal city. Created as part of a major urban redevelopment project, it was unveiled at the end of 2016. The work is by French artist Daniel Buren, internationally recognised for his use of simple geometric patterns, bold colours and repeated visual elements that interact with the places where they are installed.
The artwork features a sequence of colourful arches along a pedestrian walkway, accompanied by black-and-white striped pillars. The repeated forms create a distinctive rhythm through the square, framing views of the surrounding buildings and changing the way people experience the space. The project also includes reflective surfaces and coloured lighting, which add another dimension to the installation as the light changes throughout the day.
I have to admit that I really like this work. I had read online about the controversy surrounding the redevelopment when it was first introduced, and the installation certainly inspired different reactions among local residents. Contemporary art in public spaces often provokes strong opinions, especially when it transforms a familiar place. Some people welcome the change, while others prefer the appearance they remember from the past.
Seeing it in person gave me the opportunity to form my own impression. I enjoy the contrast between the bright arches and the architecture around them, and I find that the installation gives the square a character that is difficult to ignore. Whether or not someone likes the design, it certainly encourages people to look more closely at a place they might otherwise simply walk across.
Photography is a good way for me to explore these different aspects of a city. When I take pictures of public art, I am interested not only in the artwork itself but also in how it fits into its surroundings. The angle, the colours and the relationship between the structures and the buildings can all change the impression captured in a photograph.
La Spezia offers plenty of subjects for anyone interested in urban photography, from historic architecture to contemporary interventions such as this one. I enjoy discovering these contrasts while walking around without a strict itinerary, allowing unexpected details to guide me.
For me, Daniel Buren’s installation is an example of how public art can change the atmosphere of an everyday urban space. It may not appeal to everyone, but I am glad I came across it and had the chance to photograph it.

What do you think of Daniel Buren’s colourful installation in Verdi Square in La Spezia? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photos taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-M 11-22 lens.

If you want to see all the photos I took around the city, click here:

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