Il Giardino dei Passi Perduti
Translated to English, it means “The Garden of Lost Footsteps”, another architecture work by Peter Eisenman. Located on the garden of the Museo di Castelvecchio, on the lawn in front of the castle’s inner facade, it is a medieval military fortification known for its historically authentic early ‘60s renovation by Carlo Scarpa. The Castelvecchio installation came out of the Eisenman’s interest in the working processes of some of the greatest 20th century architects, of particular importance is his interpretation of Giuseppe Terragni’s work, and his concern to sites that are rich with history, where events from various periods are layered and intertwined.
The museum was rebuilt after WWII, and Eisenman’s installation attracts inspiration from, and reacts to, Scarpa’s design. He also quoted from many of his own past works. Typical of Eisenman’s work, Il Giardino dei Passi Perduti is laid out on a shifted grid and expands in many directions as well as reaching into the museum building. Since the 1970s and ‘80s, the museum site has encouraged a creative dialogue between works of contemporary art and the monument itself.