An IT lake as you have never seen it (and never will again!)

MapisM

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Someone might remember this previous thread, where I anticipated an event which is taking place in these days in Lake Iseo.

Not everybody's cup, that's for sure.
In spite of that, the installation is having an overwhelming success, which is creating an affluence of people (mostly from abroad, apparently) well above double of what they originally estimated, hence creating neverending queues.
In fact, after hearing someone who went there in one of the first days of opening and had to wait more than two hours standing under the sun before reaching the piers, I already decided to give it a miss.

But while I was at home for the last day before flying to CF, I got a phone call from an old friend who happens to keep his beautiful Ariston on that lake, asking if by chance I was interested to join him for going to the installation spot and have a look around.
Needless to say, I was already grabbing the camera and the car keys while still talking by phone, because an offer to go boating on a wooden Riva is worth changing any plan at the last minute, regardless of the additional opportunity to see the installation! :cool:

Unfortunately, before anyone asks, sorry but you won't find any pics of the thing, because he prefers not to show his pride and joy publicly.
Bit of a shame I must say, because she would have won hands down a virtual mars bar as the best thing afloat, even if compared to the much more modern Wally which was moored outside San Paolo islet and used as a sort of celebrities watertaxi (see below).

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy the following small overview.
If you are interested, you can find much more all over the place in the web - just google for "The Floating Piers".

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Isn't this just a large series of pontoons wrapped in something orange?
Indeed.
But if you are implying that this is among the most silly modern art expressions, you obviously never saw Paul McCarthy's "Train, Pig Island", just to name one example... :)
 
Indeed.
But if you are implying that this is among the most silly modern art expressions, you obviously never saw Paul McCarthy's "Train, Pig Island", just to name one example... :)

Hadn't really thought about it as art. And had to google train pig island, not my cup of tea.

I suppose they rank alongside Tracey Emins unmade bed or tent. All leaves me cold, but then I am a philistine!
 
Am I missing something. Isn't this just a large series of pontoons wrapped in something orange?

Its Art ljs. Isn't it any wonder we've voted to leave Europe. We'll never understand them;)

PS I can't help thinking what the wash of a decent sized mobo would do to it
 
I noticed a complete absence of cleats and shudder to think of the dry cleaning bill. Other than that, so -so, can they do it in green?
 
The artistic side escapes me but the fact that when someone creates a space like that, it immediately attracts thousands of people to occupy it is somehow surreal.

This is my favourite pic of your very nice pics, imho.

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An event like that on a location like that and arriving on a Riva Ariston. I'm speechless.
 
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The artistic side escapes me but the fact that when someone creates a space like that, it immediately attracts thousands of people to occupy it is somehow surreal.
You can say that again, K. In fact, the actual facts & figures make it even more surrealistic:
- the installation was (and still is) scheduled to be open to public only for 16 days, from June 18th to July 3rd.
- they initially predicted about half a million total number of visitors, spread through that timeframe.
- after a few days, they doubled that forecast.
- I don't know the situation as of today, but they actually reached 1 million on the 29th, with 5 days to go and the number of daily visitors steadily increasing.

That said, if I'm honest, I don't think the experience is worth hours of queue.
But, a unique experience it is for good, and I'm glad I had the privilege to make it.
In fact, aside from the very peculiar scenario - to which is very hard to make justice with pics, btw - also walking on the thing was very funny.
Half way between a normal floating dock and a soft mattress... :)
 
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Funny you should mention that, M.
Among the foreigners we came across while walking around, many - possibly most - were young Brits.
Undoubtedly taking their final opportunity to visit Europe before we shut the gates:)
 
Undoubtedly taking their final opportunity to visit Europe before we shut the gates:)
And here I was, understanding that the whole point of shutting the gates was for those willing to enter the UK, rather than leave it.
Oh, well. If you won't have any other chances in the future to enjoy your fine vessel, you are welcome to leave me the keys and save me the hassle of looking further at what's available on the market... :cool: :p
 
Nice work on the boat ride and missing the queues P, the structure looks massive and clearly very popular. The photos are really good, I also liked the colours in the one SM picked out, nice work.

Thanks for posting the photos and finishing the story, this was an epic construction at the end of the day and clearly very successful for all involved, regardless of your view of modern art.
 
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