Marco Conti, Prato, Italy

Artist Statement

The history fragments the people as the evolution of the form splits the architecture. The memory and the devotion are the threads that weave the firm traditions, represented by the stiff bamboo portals. The geometry summarizes a complex tri-dimensional shape into simpler bi-dimensional elements, recalling the whirl of the jewish history, that had evolved during the millennia but maintaining its primordial order.

The bamboo elements joints are pinned to provide the required adjustability during the assembly. The threads woven around the frames create a double curvature lining that lends stiffness to the structure and characterizes the appearance. The palm leaves interlaced between the hemp threads of the roof evoke the tradition and the connection with the land.

Through the fabrication of the structural components and the joints, this sukkah can be easily built. The steel base plate dictates the geometry of the poles, that are restrained to follow the imposed directions; then the roof elements connect the various levels of the walls. The connections are not relying on adhesives, hence they can be dismantled and reused, once the sukkot is over.

The interior is left minimal on purpose, with only simple modules mixable in different combinations to create a familiar but sober environment. The blocks’ frames are made with bamboo and bonded with the hemp threads. The vertical repetition of the frames at the entrance defines a clear threshold, a boundary with the external world, symbolizing the passage into a more intimate and personal experience.