British sculptor's commission unveiled in Chianti
November 9, 2004
Michele Shah

Chianti Classico estate Castello di Ama has just opened its latest commissioned artwork, by acclaimed British sculptor Anish Kapoor.

Last weekend the work, called 'Aima' (pictured, centre), was unveiled to a crowd of art and wine enthusiasts at the chapel of the estate

Kapoor's work ('Aima' signifies blood in ancient Greek) is installed in the chapel yard. It is described as a 'powerful, bright circle which opens in the centre of the paving, reminiscent of a small, flaming chasm.'

According to Kapoor, who was born in Mumbai, India but has lived and worked in the UK since the 1970s, it has many different meanings. 'A thing exists in the world because it has mythological, psychological and philosophical coherence,' he said. 'That is when a thing is truly made.'

Referring to the many contemporary works the estate has commissioned, Castello managing director Lorenza Sebasti said, 'Castello di Ama is a living museum of contemporary art.'

Since 2000 Castello has invested in works by contemporary artists. 'Anish is one of today's most eminent contemporary artists, and he is also a real wine buff,' winemaker Marco Pallanti said. 'By staying here, studying the location and drinking our wines, he identified with Ama and Aima.'

Anish Kapoor's works have been exhibited in London's Tate Modern (where he filled the vast Turbine Hall with 'Marsyas', a gigantic tuboid sculpture in red pvc), in New York's MOMA, in Madrid, and Amsterdam. He is an honorary member of the Royal Institute of British Architecture, was awarded the Premio Duemila at the 44th Biennale di Venezia in 1990 and the Turner Prize in 1991.

Castello di Ama installations include works by Michelangelo Pistoletto, Daniel Buren, Giulio Paolini, and Kendell Geers.

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