Site specific installation “Clearings” by Michel Comte in collaboration with Yuichi Kodai for ART FLOW

As the studio manager, I am honored to have played a role in bringing CLEARINGS to life. Michel Comte, renowned for his portraits and fashion photography, has dedicated much of the past decade to exploring ecological issues through art. His deep concern for the environment drives his artistic practice, transforming natural spaces into immersive experiences that provoke reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature.

For CLEARINGS, Comte collaborated with Japanese architect Yuichi Kodai to create his first outdoor site-specific intervention as part of the ART FLOW initiative. Set in the Dietikon forest in Zürich, Switzerland, this project draws from the forest’s natural life cycles of growth, decay, and renewal. Inspired by the motto of the Dietikon Holzkorporation, “A beautiful forest in faithful hands delights the eye and protects the land,” Comte developed an installation that underscores nature’s transient beauty while inviting thoughtful contemplation.

The work features tree stumps and trunks shaped by time, weather, and wind. These natural sculptures were covered in fine copper foil and sheet, accentuating their forms and connecting them symbolically to human craftsmanship. As the seasons change, the interplay of light and nature constantly transforms the installation, offering an ever-evolving visual and emotional experience.

Comte believes in the transformative power of art, particularly in unconventional settings. CLEARINGS is not merely an installation but an invitation to connect with nature on a deeper level. In collaboration with architect Yuichi Kodai and students from Géral­dine Elias­son’s R3a Neuenhof school class, the project became a living dialogue between art, environment, and community.

As part of ART FLOW, CLEARINGS contributes to a larger cultural initiative spanning the Limmat Valley from Zurich to Aargau. Through around 30 site-specific works and a comprehensive cultural education program, ART FLOW seeks to foster awareness, creativity, and community engagement in this unique landscape.

It has been a privilege to be part of this meaningful project, facilitating the artist’s vision and supporting an artistic dialogue that addresses one of the most pressing issues of our time: our responsibility toward the natural world.