"La Frau", which in Cimbrian means "Mother," represents the figure that creates and shapes our being. This extraordinary work by Marco Martalar is located along the Dragon's Path, just 1.5 km from the famous Vaia Dragon.
The sculpture is the result of a collaboration among various contributors: the municipal construction site, the technical office, artists Marta Zucchinali and Marco Martalar, and other professionals who helped bring it to life. The wooden supporting structure, crafted with particular attention to technique and design, is itself a work of art, created in collaboration with Falegnameria Corradi, led by Simone Corradi and Francesco Lucchetta, along with architects from Mutaforma, including Andrea Curtoni, and engineer Giacomo Zanotti, who handled the structural calculations.
Unlike other works by Martalar, La Frau also emphasizes the supporting structure, integrating it as a fundamental part of the artwork itself. This artistic gesture aims to communicate that humans are an integral part of the natural ecosystem and that, if we treat nature well, it allows us space to coexist.
This project also involved collaboration with DMAX and Falegnameria Curzel, resulting in an initiative that celebrates the synergy between human ingenuity, art, and nature.
The Meaning of La Frau
La Frau symbolizes creation, much like in the story of the dragon, where a spark of its breath gives life to Mother Nature. La Frau grows alongside the dragon, becoming a symbol of strength, development, and connection to nature.
The artwork is designed to be visible from the inside as well, allowing viewers to appreciate its complexity. The structure, which opens toward the sky, represents hope and the peaceful coexistence between humanity and the environment that surrounds it.
The Construction of La Frau, Mother Nature
This work combines manual labor, human ingenuity, and creativity. Its creation is a fusion of engineering technique and art, with many craftsmen contributing to its realization. From the architect who designed the structure, to the structural engineer who performed the calculations, to the skilled carpenters who turned the artistic vision into reality.
Marco Martalar envisioned a large geodesic sphere as the nucleus of an egg, symbolizing birth and motherhood, supported by a hand that seems to offer it to the world. The artwork allows visitors to enter the structure, where the view of the surrounding landscape is partially concealed, creating a sense of protection, as if we are embraced in a maternal womb.
The Role of La Frau in the Dragon’s Path
La Frau, born from the dream of Vaia, is the starting point of our journey along the Dragon’s Path. Each stop along this path leads to a greater awareness of the impact we have on the environment, inviting us to reflect on our connection with nature and how we can protect it.
