Concept

Ever since the early 1970’s the initiator of this project, sculptor and ceramics artist Arjen Bakermans, has been visiting the Val d’Aosta region of the Italian Alps. Initially he visits this region solely as a mountaineer.

Arjen Bakermans

However, through the years he starts to see the mountains and their surroundings as a place where more can be done than just hiking and climbing.
He discovers a marvelous setting for creating objects.
Objects built from and ín the landscape itself: land-art.

'Aqua Bianca' - 1999 - Valpelline, Italy

At that time, he even thinks of writing a book. The story would tell about a man, living in the mountains. He would observe the world around him, analyse natural processes and compare them with his own motivations, the human thinking and his personal doings.
A seeker, finding pleasure in seeking without seeking to find…

The idea of the book never got anywhere beyond a brainstorm session, a musical slide show about a climbing sculptor and some uncertain notes.
Instead a new and rather firm image took form in his mind: a home in this landscape, a place to be. He would design and build a bivouac !
A dwelling without a lock on the door. A salute to friendship and cooperation. A token to express his admiration and respect for these mountains.

A project, born out of idealism, with a non-profit character. Anyone who wants to take part will experience the joy and rewards of working together.

In October 2005 Arjen comes into contact with Luigi (Gigi) Vignone, mountain gide in Valpelline. Gigi tells him that since some time now, the need exists for a refuge at a certain strategic spot in his valley. This news makes his day…


		The concept
		Ever since the early 1970’s the initiator of this project, sculptor and ceramics artist Arjen Bakermans, has been visiting the Val d’Aosta region of the Italian Alps. Initially he visits this region solely as a mountaineer. However, through the years he starts to see the mountains and their surroundings as a place where more can be done than just hiking and climbing. He discovers a marvelous setting for creating objects. Objects built from and ín the landscape itself: land-art. At that time, he even thinks of writing a book. The story would tell about a man, living in the mountains. He would observe the world around him, analyse natural processes and compare them with his own motivations, the human thinking and his personal doings. A seeker, finding pleasure in seeking without seeking to find… The idea of the book never got anywhere beyond a brainstorm session, a musical slide show about a climbing sculptor and some uncertain notes. Instead a new and rather firm image took form in his mind: a home in this landscape, a place to be. He would design and build a bivouac ! A dwelling without a lock on the door. A salute to friendship and cooperation. A token to express his admiration and respect for these mountains. A project, born out of idealism, with a non-profit character. Anyone who wants to take part will experience the joy and rewards of working together. In October 2005 Arjen comes into contact with Luigi (Gigi) Vignone, mountain gide in Valpelline. Gigi tells him that since some time now, the need exists for a refuge at a certain strategic spot in his valley. This news makes his day…