Discover the Site Transitoire, a suggestive work that fits harmoniously into the nature of the Crete Senesi
The Site Transitoire is a monument composed of various stone elements created by the French artist Jean Paul Philippe in 1993. The site is located in a beautiful panoramic position at the crossroads of three country roads between Mucigliani and Leonina, in the enchanting scenery of the Crete Senesi, near Asciano.
This work of art represents a meeting point between man and the surrounding landscape, offering a panoramic vision that embraces the picturesque village of Mucigliani on one side and the majestic city of Siena on the other. Jean Paul Philippe conceived the Site Transitoire as a “site specific”, that is, a work designed exactly for this place, where the stone architectural elements interact harmoniously with the surrounding nature, creating a sort of home without walls, open and welcoming.
The work is composed of several elements that invite the visitor to actively participate in the artistic experience: a portal, a throne and a stone bed are positioned in such a way as to allow the visitor to contemplate the surrounding landscape in the three main positions that distinguish the human being: standing, sitting or lying down.
One of the most evocative elements of the Site Transitoire is the large stone window, through which the sun sets on the day of the summer solstice, creating a breathtaking spectacle of colors and lights that are reflected on the surrounding landscape. This event makes the monument a magical and evocative place, perfect for enjoying the sunset and celebrating the beauty of nature.
The artist himself described the Site Transitoire as a home without walls, with an invisible threshold that invites visitors to enter and let themselves be transported by the beauty of the landscape and the suggestive atmosphere of the work of art.
To explain even better what Site Transitoire is, I leave you the definition given by Jean Paul Philippe himself:
“A few years ago a thought completely occupied my time: creating three familiar positions in stone and placing them in space: sitting, standing, lying down… and leaving them silent to dialogue with each other in the solitude and silence of a natural place. I could never have imagined that what was about to become the site transitoire would be an accomplice to so many encounters. The place chosen was that: a hill between Siena and Asciano in the heart of the Crete Senesi, between Leonina and Mucigliani. Making that gesture, installing those stones, I realized that they outlined the limits of a house in light and space. A home without walls with an invisible threshold. On the ground some slabs, a chair to welcome passers-by, a bench, a window and the vault of heaven for a roof. The shadow of this stone furniture traced its path on the ground thanks to the appearances of the Moon and the Sun. In the summer solstice it is in the perpendicularity of the window that the solar disk disappears, while the first star and the lights of Siena shine”.
It is important to treat the Site Transitoire with respect and awareness, avoiding using it as a picnic area and respecting the instructions to fully appreciate the artistic experience it offers. The monument is not only a work of art, but also a place of contemplation and reflection, where art and nature blend in a unique and unforgettable union.
