L'Arbre des voyelles, Bronze sculpture in Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France
L'Arbre des voyelles is a 20-meter-long bronze sculpture depicting a fallen tree with an elaborate root system resting on the grass near the Louvre Museum. The work blends bronze with different wood species at points where the branches make contact with the ground.
Italian artist Giuseppe Penone created this work on commission from the French Ministry of Culture and installed it in December 1999 during major storms in Paris. The sculpture marked a significant addition to the garden during a period of transformation in the late 20th century.
The bronze root system spells out five vowels from the Celtic alphabet, each one linked to different tree species and ancient traditions. Walking around the sculpture reveals how language and the natural world intertwine in its design.
The sculpture sits in the Jardin des Tuileries and remains accessible year-round during regular garden opening hours. The best way to experience it is a slow walk around the entire structure to view the details from different angles.
Five different tree species including ash and alder grow where the bronze branches touch the ground. These living plants transform the metal artwork into a growing, changing installation that evolves with the seasons.
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