The Tiber II Terrarium
Team
Name: Julia Hammes
Nationality: American
Institution / Company: Student at Kansas State University
–FINALIST of Re-Nature Rome Competition
Once a romantic tourist boat, the Tiber II was damaged and docked on shore during the 2008 flooding of Rome. Due to the steep price tag of removing the boat, it has remained abandoned for the past thirteen years and currently provides home for vegetation to grow.
Addressing the relationship between the overgrown vegetation and Tiber II, The Tiber Terrarium changes focus to the renewal of the landscape and the boat. An immersive art experience focused on the rejuvenation of oneself and the ecosystem, the site uses riparian plantings in forms of terracing within the Tiber River to reintroduce plant species on the banks. In conjunction with the interspersion of plants, sculptural areas have been constructed from the remnants of the boat to produce distinct spaces that play with both vegetation and light to form focused views of the river and surrounding landscape. The experiences on site are focused not only on the rejuvenation of the Tiber II and biodiversity, but also in the renewal of oneself through meditative spaces. The boat acts as a reminder of how something once perceived as being insignificant has great opportunity to have transformative effects for users of all different ages and backgrounds.
#ecosystem restoration #art & nature #abandoned site #mental health & stress reduction #sense of belonging & placemaking
