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Life Electric

Life Electric is a contemporary sculpture dedicated to the physicist Alessandro Volta (1745–1827). Completed in 2015, it is located in Como, Italy. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, it was a gift to Como, the city where the architect opened a summer architecture school in 1988. The sculpture was commissioned by the non-profit association Gli amici di Como. Its design reflects the evolution of modern architecture that began in the 1920s and today sees the emergence of rationalism. Libeskind’s creation has continued Como’s tradition of contemporary art and increased the city’s prominence.

Life Electric sculpture lit at night on a waterfront promenade with Como city lights and a dark mountainside in the background.
The Life Electric sculpture glows at night above the waterfront, with Como’s lights reflecting on the water behind it.
October 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Life Electric sculpture standing at the end of a pier with a lakeside town and mountains behind it.
Life Electric rises at the end of a long pier overlooking the town and mountains beyond.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Life Electric sculpture in Como, a tall reflective silver monument against a deep blue twilight sky and waterfront lights.
The Life Electric rises above Como’s waterfront, reflecting the twilight sky and distant lights.
April 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Life Electric sculpture with reflective silver panels against blue sky and distant hills.
Life Electric, the reflective sculpture by Daniel Libeskind in Como.
June 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Life Electric sculpture rising from a pier on Lake Como, with mountains and lakeside towns in the distance.
Life Electric stands on the water at Lake Como, framed by distant mountains and shoreline towns.
September 2024 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleLife Electric
TypeContemporary sculpture
Alternative nameThe Life Electric

Historical context

Libeskind connection to ComoHe opened a summer architecture school in Como in 1988
DedicationAlessandro Volta (1745–1827), physicist and inventor of the electric battery
Completion date2015

Creator

ArtistDaniel Libeskind
Project architect and engineerAntonio Gianmarco Martorana Capsoni

Discovery and provenance

Project reviewTechnical project review conducted by Antonio Gianmarco Martorana Capsoni
Transferred to municipality byLibeskind Design and Daniel Libeskind
Project validationValidated by Mercury Engineering SpA
Estimated cost€599,926.07 for the construction work and pier reinforcement
FundingAmici di Como through donations
Commissioned byAmici di Como, a non-profit association
Designed byDaniel Libeskind
Design donated byDaniel Libeskind to the Municipality of Como

Physical characteristics

Surface finishPolished steel surfaces
Additional effectsSmoke effects for nighttime illumination
LightingWaterproof LED lighting system with over 300 points
Water featureShallow pool of water, 10 cm deep, reflecting the monument
BaseCircular stone wall, 75 cm high
Height including base14.25 metres
FormTwo opposing sinusoids
Height13.75 metres
Weight29 tonnes

Materials

Base materialStone
Cladding material6 mm thick stainless steel type 316 panels
Structure materialCalendered steel

Appearance

Daytime appearanceThe polished steel reflects the surrounding lake and landscape
Night appearanceDesigned to create light effects at night

Location and ownership

Placement intentChosen to give the sculpture high visibility and to fit the continuity of the place
LocationAt the end of the Diga Foranea Piero Caldirola breakwater on Lake Como in Como, Italy, opposite Piazza Cavour
Nearby landmarksPlaced between the Tempio Voltiano museum and the Faro Voltiano lighthouse
Breakwater nameDiga Foranea Piero Caldirola
AccessAccessible from the Lungolago Mafalda di Savoia promenade

Iconography and meaning

InspirationInspired by the electric tension between the two poles of a battery
Symbolic meaningThe two sinusoids represent the initials of Alessandro Volta
Conceptual roleDescribed as an idealistic third pole between the Faro Voltiano and the Tempio Voltiano
Design symbolismIt evokes links between light, wind, and water
Artistic intentionTo create geometries connecting the sky, the lake, and the mountains
InterpretationThe work metaphorically represents Volta's scientific contributions and electrical power
Stylistic relationThe design relates to Rationalism in architecture, especially the movement prominent in Como in the 1920s and 1930s

History and restoration

Underwater workDivers carried out underwater work at a depth of 3 m in early 2015
Pier reinforcementThe pier was structurally reinforced before installation to support the sculpture
Transport and installationTransported across Lake Como by barge and installed on the pier with a crane
Inauguration attendeesThe mayor of Como, Daniel Libeskind and his family, Luigi Martino Volta, and actress Nastassja Kinski
Inauguration venueYacht Club of Como and the hangar of the Aero Club of Como
Public presentation date9 October 2014
Delay causes19 days due to bad weather and 25 days for an August summer break
Construction delayApproximately 119 days
Initial planned completion date1 May 2015, to coincide with the opening of Expo 2015 in Milan
Official inauguration date2 October 2015
Construction completion dateAugust 2015
Construction start dateSeptember 2014

Significance

Cultural significanceIt continued Como's tradition of contemporary art and increased the city's visibility and reputation
Public debateThe project generated public debate in Como over its visual impact on the lakeside landscape
Petition initiatorAdesso Como
Petition purposeTo oppose the installation of the sculpture and call for a consultative referendum
Petition signatures4,478 signatures
Referendum statusA referendum was not held because construction was already too advanced
Estimated referendum cost€180,559
Associated eventThe inauguration followed the Expo 2015 opening timeline