In the market for an exceptionally unusual attraction to visit in Italy this summer? Perhaps something that can be seen from space? Maybe something unlike anything else in the world? Well, if that is the case, Piedmont has just the thing for you: A giant, knitted pink bunny which can be seen from satellites above earth. Located in the Alps in a rural spot called Colletto Fava, the oddity attracts many visitors each year. Knitted from wool, it is slowly rotting away and is expected to have disappeared entirely by 2025, if you want to get the chance to see it for yourself, you'll need to plan a trip in the next few years. As it is, it has already deteriorated quite a bit. So, why not find a villa with pool in Piedmont and spend a day visiting this unusual sight?
Knitted over the course of five years by the Viennese art collective, “gelitin”, it was completed and placed in Colletto Fava in 2005. The bunny, called the Hase (Hare) measures 200ft in length and 20ft in height.
It was conceived by the artists and produced with the help of a group of grannies, who did the majority of the making and knitted the monumental work. Placed 5,000ft high along the mountains of the Alps in Northern Italy, it was made for hikers to enjoy and rest upon during their travels.
The rabbit is lying on its back with it innards tumbling out beside it onto the ground.
It was conceived by the artists and produced with the help of a group of grannies, who did the majority of the making and knitted the monumental work. Placed 5,000ft high along the mountains of the Alps in Northern Italy, it was made for hikers to enjoy and rest upon during their travels.
The rabbit is lying on its back with it innards tumbling out beside it onto the ground.
Originally bright pink in colour, it stood out against the rich green foliage and snowy winter landscapes of the slopes. Now it has turned a rather more murky grey shade and it slowly rotting back into the earth. There are no plans to remove the work as it will probably have entirely disappeared naturally by 2025.
Wolfgang Gantner, one of the group members explained that the intention behind the bunny was to make visitors “feel small, like Gulliver. You walk around it and you can't help but smile." He also noted that visitors are very much invited to engage with the work being welcome to climb it, sit on it, rest, take pictures and more.
Made of soft waterproof material and stuffed with straw, it is designed to be somewhere you can lie out and relax. It also proves to be a rather unique vantage point to take in surrounding views and to enjoy the area.
If you ever find yourself in Piedmont, make sure you go for a hike and climb up onto the Hase. Who knows how much longer it will actually last so, see it while you can.
Wolfgang Gantner, one of the group members explained that the intention behind the bunny was to make visitors “feel small, like Gulliver. You walk around it and you can't help but smile." He also noted that visitors are very much invited to engage with the work being welcome to climb it, sit on it, rest, take pictures and more.
Made of soft waterproof material and stuffed with straw, it is designed to be somewhere you can lie out and relax. It also proves to be a rather unique vantage point to take in surrounding views and to enjoy the area.
If you ever find yourself in Piedmont, make sure you go for a hike and climb up onto the Hase. Who knows how much longer it will actually last so, see it while you can.
Photo credits
picture 1: gelitin
picture 1: gelitin
