Vivid botanical sculptures in Milan's seminary courtyard, blending contemporary art with the historic setting.

Agostino Iacurci’s Colorful Botanical Sculptures Transform Milan’s Historic Seminary Courtyard

2026-07-15

Large, colorful plant sculptures positioned in a stone courtyard.

In the heart of Milan, Agostino Iacurci introduces “Arcipelago Botanico,” a captivating installation that breathes new life into the Portrait Milano courtyard. Curated by Valentina Ciarallo, this project is set to grace the former Archiepiscopal Seminary until August 31st, 2026. The installation features eight towering sculptures crafted from painted steel and pigmented concrete, each reaching a striking four meters in height. This imaginative ecosystem transforms a historic Renaissance space into a vibrant exhibition of contemporary art.

Sunlit courtyard with tall, brightly painted plant sculptures.

A Renaissance of Artistic Imagination

The installation is inspired by an 1895 lithograph that depicted the Seminary courtyard as a lush garden. Iacurci reimagines this lost landscape through stylized botanical forms, presenting them as vibrant, oversized renditions of flowering trees, cacti, palms, and thistles. Each piece stands as a large, colorful silhouette that melds seamlessly with Iacurci’s well-known visual style, characterized by bold illustrations and murals. Colors such as bright reds, violets, oranges, pinks, and greens vividly contrast against the classic stone architecture that encloses them.

Close-up of a colorful sculpture resembling oversized plants and flowers.

An Interactive Garden Experience

“Arcipelago Botanico” invites you to wander through this reinterpreted garden. The layout encourages a dynamic interaction with both the sculptures and the space, as visitors weave between these vibrant forms under the open sky. The sculptures create a layer of artistic intrigue that hovers between the ground and the surrounding architecture, redefining the courtyard’s role from a mere passageway to an engaging public area.

For more on reimagining spaces through art, explore vibrant murals by Marija Tiurina that bring a burst of color to urban landscapes.

Rows of bright sculptures line a historic brick courtyard.

Crafting Fiction from History

This installation challenges perceptions of historical spaces. Through artistic imagination, it suggests that memory can fuel new, evocative landscapes. By using steel and concrete as a canvas for his colorful plant-like forms, Iacurci’s work reflects themes of growth and change. “Arcipelago Botanico” serves as an artistic marker for a once-thriving garden, encouraging visitors to envision the past and accept its transformation over time.