The CREW project The crossroads of visions

On August 28, 2026, two public sculptures were unveiled in the CREW, Križišče vizij / Visioni incrociate project, marking a new phase in cross-border artistic collaboration between Slovenia and Italy. The opening took place in two locations: the sculpture Vztrajnost v času / La perseveranza nel tempo by Slovenian sculptor Damjan Komel was revealed at 5:30 PM at the multi-purpose space CREW within the former border crossing of Štandrež, Gorica. At 7:00 PM, Italian sculptor Stefano Comelli’s work Incroci senza confini / Brezmejna križišča was unveiled at the venue of the GAS Vrtejba association, located at International Crossing 2b, Vrtojba. Both events were part of the CREW initiative, co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia program, which supports projects promoting transnational cooperation. The project features two sculptures selected through the second international competition for public art installations under CREW. The theme of the competition, Beyond Borders, Borderlessness of Space Through Public Sculpture, is reflected in both chosen artworks, each exploring the meaning of space shaped by history, encounters, and cross-border collaboration. Komel's Vztrajnost v času / La perseveranza nel tempo uses the symbolism of seed and spiral to tell a story of growth, perseverance, and mutual connection. It invites visitors to consider space as a meeting point of cultures, dialogue, and shared development. The piece transcends physical and mental boundaries, encouraging reflection on common values, collaboration, and the future. Comelli’s Incroci senza confini / Brezmejna križišča addresses the former border crossing as a convergence of paths, memories, and personal stories. With an intricate network of etched trails and reflective surfaces, the sculpture reveals the hidden microhistory of people who helped shape this space. It places visitors at the center of a borderless area where past and present mirror one another. These new works join two existing public sculptures, Beatrice Taponecco by Italian sculptor Beatrice Taponecco and Boštjan Kavčič by Slovenian sculptor Boštjan Kavčič, that were installed in the framework of the project in 2025. Together, the four sculptures form an emerging transnational artistic path connecting the municipalities of Šempeter-Vrtojba and Gorica, emphasizing the significance of connection, dialogue, and cross-border cooperation as a lasting cultural heritage. The unveiling of both sculptures was accompanied by a musical performance by saxophonist David Mozetič, adding an auditory dimension to the visual experience. The event highlighted the collaborative spirit of the CREW project, which seeks to transform historical sites into spaces of contemporary artistic expression and intercultural exchange. Damjan Komel, born in 1971, is a Slovenian sculptor known for working with materials such as stone, marble, bronze, wood, and ceramics. He studied sculpture and ceramics at the School of Applied Arts Famul Stuart in Ljubljana between 2001 and 2004. His work is characterized by a deep relationship with material and an exploration of space, time, and human experience. Often drawing inspiration from personal stories and universal themes, he transforms them into refined sculptural forms. Marble, particularly white marbles, holds a special place in his oeuvre, as he carefully processes these materials to preserve their soft, organic surface. For Komel, sculpture is not just meant to be seen but also felt, as he believes touch is an essential way to establish a relationship between humans and art. Since 2007, he has been a member of the Gorica-based artists' society Prologo. He has participated in numerous international sculpture symposiums around the world and has exhibited both individually and in group shows domestically and abroad. His works have also been placed in public spaces. He lives and creates in Bilje and Vrtojba on the Goriška region. Stefano Comelli, born in 1968, is an Italian sculptor who continued his studies after graduating from the State Art School E. U. Nordio in Trieste at the University of Udine specializing in cultural heritage protection. In 1992, he furthered his education at the Summer Academy in Salzburg under renowned sculptors Janez Lenassi and Susanne Tunn, dedicating himself to sculpture in stone. His work explores the relationship between nature, space, and material. While primarily working in stone, he often creates in other media as well. His approach emphasizes the interaction between the environment and the artwork, reflecting a sensitivity to the context in which his pieces are placed. Comelli's practice is rooted in a continuous investigation of how materials can convey meaning beyond their physical properties.