OGS unveils "Just One", a pictorial sculpture by artist Elisabetta Milan

Today, 8 June, on the occasion of World Oceans Day, the OGS unveiled Just One, an artwork by artist Elisabetta Milan, which has been installed the institute's headquarters in Borgo Grotta Gigante.

The artist, a renowned Friulian artist, art historian and conservator, has devoted much of her artistic endeavours to themes related to the sea and its conservation. Through artworks, installations and science communication projects, she promotes environmental awareness and the safeguarding of marine ecosystems.

Specifically, the pictorial sculpture Just One, which was partially donated to OGS by Director General Paola Del Negro, symbolises the convergence of land and sea, fracture and knowledge. Corten steel is a material that evokes the Earth's crust and its tensions; the fissure running through it recalls the memory of an earthquake, a wound that can only be understood through scientific research.

The chromatic progression elegantly captures the journey of water, from lagoons to oceans and on to the polar ice, symbolising the planet's breath between surface and depths. The research vessel Laura Bassi, a prominent symbol of scientific research, traverses this dynamic expanse, while meticulously observing, measuring and establishing connections between diverse elements. Meanwhile, the brass circle represents science, signifying a process of observation that culminates in the generation of knowledge. The vessel safely passes through and reaches knowledge, while the fracture halts at its boundary. While risk is not eliminated, it is studied and understood, becoming an opportunity for proactive prevention and future planning.

The artwork fully embodies the mission of the OGS, encapsulating the continuous dialogue between land and ocean, natural phenomena and scientific discovery. It is an invitation to examine the fissures in our world, not only with trepidation, but also as prospects for comprehension and awareness.

On this World Oceans Day, Just One reminds us that a comprehensive understanding of the sea is paramount to its effective protection. This commitment, integral to our daily operations, integrates scientific research, awareness initiatives, and a proactive stance on the future of our planet.