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<p>With <em>Green Lens</em>, the artist turned a dream into reality</p>

How Doug Aitken created a 'living artwork' on an abandoned Italian island

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<p>'I was very interested in making a living artwork, an artwork that almost takes roots, starts growing and living', says American artist Doug Aitken. With <em>Green Lens</em>, Aitken was able to put this thought&nbsp;into practice. Located on the island of Isola Della Certosa in Venice, Italy,&nbsp;the interactive sculpture transforms a landscape that was once a military munition and bomb factory into a mesmerizing artistic experience.</p><p>The installation is a living abstraction with the viewer at its center. As day turns to night,&nbsp;<em>Green Lens</em> glows and becomes a kinetic light sculpture and sound composition.&nbsp;The dense botanic vegetation in the artwork's core will be used to reforest the island. The trees and plants living in <em>Green Lens</em> will be planted on Isola della Certosa as part of a reforestation program to make the ruins accessible again.</p><p>All Greenhouse Gases (GhGs) emissions related to the artwork are offset through reforestation programs dedicated to Isola della Certosa garden, respecting its original ecosystem through local environmental specialists.</p><p>Doug Aitken is represented by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/catalog/gallery/1051/303-Gallery" target="_blank">303 Gallery</a>, New York City;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/catalog/gallery/1250/Galerie-Eva-Presenhuber" target="_blank">Galerie Eva Presenhuber</a>, Zurich and New York City;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/catalog/gallery/1222/Victoria-Miro" target="_blank">Victoria Miro</a>, London and Venice;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/catalog/gallery/1256/Regen-Projects" target="_blank">Regen Projects</a>, Los Angeles; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/catalog/gallery/1104/Massimo-De-Carlo" target="_blank">Massimo De Carlo</a>, Milan, London, and Hong Kong.</p>

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<section><div><article><p>Aitken speaks to Art Basel Global Director Marc Spiegler about his wide-ranging practice, while&nbsp;Art Basel Executive Editor Jeni Fulton discusses film scoring and classical&nbsp;Arab poetry with musician&nbsp;Fatima al Qadiri</p></article></div> </section>

Podcast

Intersections #8: Doug Aitken & Fatima al Qadiri

<section><div><div><div><div><div><div><article><p>Watch the artist discuss the theme that shaped his oeuvre</p></article></div> </div></div></div></div></div></section> <section></section>

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How Doug Aitken created a 'living artwork' on an abandoned Italian island

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