Vincenzo Fiore Marrese

Artwork Coincidence This artwork involved an unexpected interaction with a canine’s presence

Portfolio Entry

Before starting my environmental artwork, I planned to collaborate with animals.

Aerial view of a large, circular mound of soil covered in small, evenly spaced holes. The mound is surrounded by green grass and is located in a grassy area.

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“Coincidence,” Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

Artwork Details

  • Title:
    Coincidence
  • Year:
    2024
  • Medium (Type of Art):
    environmental art
  • Unique Feature:
    this artwork involved an unexpected interaction with a canine’s presence, the materials used in this artwork will naturally decompose over time
  • Medium (Materials):
    coco coir pellets, holes dug by a dog
  • Dimensions (International):
    180×88 centimeters
  • Dimensions (British and US):
    70.87×34.65 inches
  • Venue:
    Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany
  • Setting:
    Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg

Ethical Statement

This artwork features untouched dog-dug holes, celebrating natural animal behaviors without appropriating them.

Part of a Research Cluster

This artwork is part of the Coincidental Creatures research cluster, which explores the intersections between artistic practice and living beings. To learn more about the ongoing research and related works, please visit the Research Cluster page.

Establishing Context

Before starting my environmental artwork, I planned to collaborate with animals.

One day, a big dog came into my area and dug some holes in the soil. It was unexpected, and I had to figure out how to handle the holes. Then, I realized the dog’s actions were the starting point I needed to foster a collaborative artwork with animals.

A close-up of a small animal burrow with fresh dirt and visible tunnels.

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“Coincidence,” dog’s holes dug in the art area: a chance for collaborative animal art; Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

I decided to include the dog holes in my last artwork there. I put around the hole 150 coco coir pellets. They are tablets one can use to let seeds grow before planting new plants in the soil. The pellets change shape after they drown in water.

Expanded coco pellets, ready for planting seeds.

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“Coincidence,” coco coir pellets expanded after soaking in water; Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

The dog who dug the holes used to drink and bathe in the pond at the bottom of my venue. So I took the water from the pond. I watered the pellets. The pellets grow, fostering new seeds for a collaborative future between animals and humans.

A dog-dug hole.

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“Coincidence,” Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

I titled the artwork “Coincidence,” My encounter with the dog felt like a coincidence, providing a timely opportunity for collaboration.