The artwork is conceived as an interactive installation for the citizens of Milan who can come here to listen, reflect, share... and for learning outdoors ...

The memento selva is located in a quiet and intimate area of Parco Sempione, which at different times of day can be soaked in sunlight or cloaked in shade, surrounded by a family of centuries-old and newly planted trees.

The installation was designed by artist Anne de Carbuccia as a memento selva (memorial of wilderness) to honor the more than five thousand trees that were blown down by the July 2023 mega storm.

To create the artwork Anne used the trunks recovered by the Civil Defense which were numbered like archaeological artifacts. A group of logs of various sizes have been planted in the ground to form an organic semi-circle enclosing a sculpted bench. The effect is that of a small family of trees gathered together in tribute to the memory of the thousands of trees that fell that day. On the bench is engraved in Roman numerals the date of the Super storm XXV VII MMXXIII.

Engraved on the back of the installation is the phrase “Serius est quam cogitas,” a Latin proverb meaning “It is later than you think.” The artist uses the engraving to convey two messages: the importance of being aware of the transience of time and therefore how precious each day of our lives is; and the relentless advance of the climate emergency and the need to act and react with intention.