About the Exhibition

 

Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, a Relais & Châteaux estate nestled in the sun-soaked vineyards and olive groves of southern Istria, is proud to announce the opening of its second sculpture garden exhibition, Made for Outdoors. Curated by Berlin-based art consultant Reiner Opoku, the new presentation brings together 12 three-dimensional works by renowned contemporary artists, including Claudia Comte, Devon DeJardin, Jeppe Hein, Hans Kupelwieser, Kerim Seiler, Arne Quinze, and David Zink Yi. Spanning over 120,000 square meters of rolling landscape across the hotel and winery grounds, the exhibition transforms the estate’s natural setting into a stage for sculptural expression—blending art and environment in perfect harmony. Following the success of the inaugural exhibition Lupines by Arne Quinze in 2023, this second edition expands the vision, offering a thoughtful and dynamic encounter between human creativity and the organic world. The exhibition will be on view from September 16, 2025, through October 2026, underscoring Meneghetti’s commitment to cultivating a year-round cultural program that integrates contemporary art intothe life of the estate and the broader Istrian region.

 

“Made For Outdoors invites a group of artists whose sculptural practices examine perception, participation,

and the evolving dialogue between nature and constructed form,” says curator Reiner Opoku. 

“Each work contributes to an unfolding narrative across the landscape  - inviting guests to wander, reflect, and connect.”

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Among the exhibition's highlights are Claudia Comte’s Luca and Albertine (both 2017), two marble sculptures from her Cactus series. Hand-carved from pristine Carrara marble, these works reinterpret the playful cactus form through the language of classical sculpture, juxtaposing organic whimsy with the gravitas of polished stone.

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In contrast, Jeppe Hein’s Modified Social Bench #28 (2011) and works from his Mirror Balloon series transform familiar objects into catalysts for interaction and self-awareness. The bench—twisting and looping in unexpected ways—invites spontaneous engagement, while the hovering mirrored forms reflect viewers and landscape alike, creating disorienting yet meditative experiences.

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Known for his lively interpretation of nature and all of its mesmerizing cycles, Quinze brings a buoyant air of a transforming garden to Istria. Using material, color, and organic shapes, the sculpture creates a new sense of nature and inspires contemplation at the historic villa. The immersive five-meter-tall installation takes visitors on a journey of beauty and tranquility in the abundance of lush greenery and spacious countryside adjacent to the hotel.

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Set amidst Istria’s bucolic scenery—surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and views of the historic Brijuni Islands—the sculpture garden is more than an art exhibition; it is a curated experience of place. With deep roots in the Istrian way of life, Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery represents a rare synthesis of nature, art, gastronomy, and hospitality. This latest cultural initiative continues the estate’s evolution as a destination for

discerning travelers and art lovers alike. With the launch of this exhibition, Meneghetti affirms its role as a cultural landmark in the Adriatic, fostering

dialogue between local heritage and global contemporary art. The sculpture garden is open to hotel guests, offering a rich visual and sensory journey through one of Croatia’s most refined landscapes.

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© Charlotte Desaga