Please introduce yourself.

My name is Floriano Tomio, and I am responsible for the management and maintenance of the green spaces within Arte Sella's two parks, Villa Strobele and Malga Costa.

I also oversee the logistics involved in the production of the artworks and support artists throughout every stage of their projects, from preparing the site and assisting with construction to assembling and installing the final pieces.

My work is therefore very hands-on and includes all the activities necessary to care for the park and ensure its smooth operation.


How did you come to Arte Sella, and what led you to choose to work here?

I came to Arte Sella quite by chance. At the time, I was taking a break from my previous job, and through conversations with acquaintances, I learned that they were looking for someone to take care of the park's green areas and support the various maintenance activities required on site.

That opportunity marked the beginning of my journey at Arte Sella, which over time became much more than just a job.

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What is the rhythm of your days at Arte Sella? How does it change throughout the seasons?

My work is closely connected to the rhythms and cycles of nature. The tasks change constantly throughout the year: spring is mainly dedicated to cleaning and preparing the grounds, summer to mowing and landscape maintenance, autumn to leaf collection, and winter to snow clearing.

My days are also shaped by the schedule of new installations, which are typically created between spring and summer. When artists are on site, daily operations become intertwined with the practical needs of building and installing new works.

However, every day begins with an inspection round, checking the condition of the park and identifying any issues that need to be addressed before visitors arrive.

Is there a particular moment of the day or year when you feel especially connected to this place?

I particularly enjoy the early morning and the evening, when the park is empty, everything becomes quiet, and only the sounds of nature remain.

I am also fascinated by the changing seasons, because they continuously transform the landscape, colours, and light. Every season offers a different perspective of Arte Sella.

Late summer and winter are probably my favourite times, especially when snow blankets the landscape and makes the surroundings even quieter and more peaceful.

What kind of relationship have you built with Arte Sella through living it every day? Is there a place, path, or artwork you feel particularly attached to?

I feel connected to Arte Sella as a whole. To me, it is a second home, because it is where I spend a large part of my days and has become an integral part of my everyday life.

Taking care of the park and its artworks means developing a bond with everything that composes it. For that reason, there is no single place or work that I consider more important than the others. I experience Arte Sella as a unified whole, where every element plays its part.


How do you move through and observe Arte Sella during your work? What details do you notice that often escape those who visit for only a few hours?

While working, I tend to observe Arte Sella with a critical eye, almost expecting to find something that needs fixing or a new issue that requires attention.

My perspective is inevitably different from that of a visitor. I pay close attention to the condition of the vegetation, the artworks, and the paths, constantly looking for anything that may require intervention or pose a risk.

It is not a critical view of the place itself, but rather of my own work. I am always trying to understand what I can do to keep the park orderly, well maintained, and safe for visitors.


What does it mean to work in a place where art, landscape, and natural conditions are constantly evolving?

Working in nature is complex because it means dealing every day with elements that cannot be controlled. Weather, seasonal changes, and environmental conditions continuously affect the landscape, the plants, and the artworks.

In fifteen years at Arte Sella, I have witnessed heavy snowfalls, storms, insect infestations, and many other natural events capable of profoundly transforming the park.

This unpredictability brings challenges and requires a great capacity for adaptation, but it is also one of nature's most fascinating aspects. No day is ever truly the same as the previous one, and you can never fully know what lies ahead.


Are there any artworks you were particularly sorry to lose?

There is one artwork I was especially sad to lose: Il Nodo (The Knot).

It was a large wooden structure that, unfortunately, had been built using a system that was not particularly suited to long-term outdoor exposure, and as a result it had a relatively short lifespan.

It was an immediate and monumental work, capable of communicating something meaningful to anyone who visited the park. In my opinion, it embodied the spirit of Arte Sella very well, and I was particularly attached to it.

What are the main challenges of caring for a place like Arte Sella, where change, deterioration, and the passage of time are part of the artworks themselves?

The main challenges are linked to climate change and the limited lifespan of the artworks.

In recent years, environmental conditions have become less predictable, while extreme weather events and insect attacks on vegetation have become increasingly frequent. One of the key challenges for the future will therefore be maintaining the health and balance of the forest and the park's plant heritage.

At the same time, many artworks are destined to evolve and deteriorate as a result of exposure to the elements. Change is part of their nature, but we still have the responsibility to monitor them, care for them, and understand when they can be preserved and when it is time to let them go.


Is there a daily gesture, perhaps one visitors rarely notice, that you think best represents what it means to care for Arte Sella?

The task that best represents caring for Arte Sella is the morning inspection round.

Before visitors arrive, I make sure the park is clean and in order and that there are no fallen branches, holes, or other situations caused overnight by wildlife or weather conditions.

It is a simple and largely invisible activity, but it is extremely important because it allows us to act quickly and welcome people into a place that is both well maintained and safe.

After experiencing it every day, what still continues to surprise you?

What continues to surprise me is the fact that no two days are ever exactly the same.

The changes are often connected to problems that need solving, the conditions of nature, or the needs of the artists. Every day brings a different situation and requires new solutions.

When installations are being created, we are often asked to build unique elements and tackle processes we have never encountered before. It is precisely this absence of routine that keeps me curious and gives me the energy to continue doing my work.


Montura and Arte Sella have been collaborating for almost twenty years. What do you think has made this relationship so enduring, and what values do the two organizations share?

I believe that Arte Sella and Montura are united above all by a deep connection with the natural environment and the outdoor world.

We live and work in nature every day, throughout all seasons and under very different conditions. Montura, too, was born from a practical and conscious way of experiencing mountains, forests, and open spaces.

Over time, the partnership has also been strengthened through the people who have visited Arte Sella, observed our work, and met the artists while learning about the creative process behind the artworks. I believe that this closeness and shared respect for nature have made the relationship authentic and allowed it to endure for so long.