In a time marked by environmental fragility, social transformation, and constant need for adaptation, sculpture can still become a language capable of condensing profound reflections into an immediately recognizable form. This is the direction in which the latest work by Sussanna De Angelis Gardel, a monumental prickly pear made of stainless steel and oven-painted in a deep, bright yellow.
The work, of imposing dimensions—220x150x100 centimeters and weighing 260 kilograms—is inspired by one of the most resilient plants in the Mediterranean and desert landscapes. The choice of cactus stems not from a purely botanical or decorative interest, but from a precise symbolic intent. In the artist's interpretation, the prickly pear represents life's ability to adapt even to the most extreme environments, conserving energy and internal resources even when everything seems hostile.
The cactus thus becomes a metaphor for human perseverance, silent resilience, and the ability to continue growing despite adversity. This reflection takes on particular force in the contemporary context, marked by environmental crises and widespread instability.
According to the artist, the linguistic root of the word "cactus" also contributes to this interpretation. In Arabic, the term is semantically linked to the idea of patience. This association further broadens the meaning of the work, transforming it into a representation of the ability to withstand time, obstacles, and tensions without losing one's vital energy.
The choice of materials follows the same conceptual direction. Stainless steel, resistant and durable, is used as an element consistent with the theme of permanence and solidity. At the same time, the yellow-painted surface introduces an unexpected visual element: the thorny plant, normally associated with defense and rigidity, takes on a luminous, almost solar presence, evoking vitality and attraction.
The result is a balance between strength and vulnerability, protection and openness. The structure retains the cactus's bold character, but transforms it into a visual signature that engages with the space in an energetic and contemporary way.
In the artist's reflection, Venice also plays a central role in the work's interpretation. Inserting a symbol of adaptation and resistance into a fragile and precious city inevitably evokes the relationship between humanity, the environment, and cultural survival. The cactus thus also becomes a collective signal, an invitation to question the ability of communities to navigate transformations without losing their identity and memory.
The sculptural intervention thus works on multiple levels: the aesthetic, thanks to the monumental impact of the structure and the choice of colors; the symbolic, through the reference to resilience; and the social, in the reflection on the relationship between environmental balance and the permanence of life.
In an artistic landscape increasingly oriented toward immersive and immediate works, De Angelis Gardel Susanna instead opts for a simple and recognizable form, entrusting the symbol with the power of the message. The cactus, a plant often associated with survival in the most difficult environments, is thus transformed into a contemporary presence that speaks of adaptation, patience, and endurance, without sacrificing a strong visual component.
