At the end of Como’s breakwater, in front of piazza Cavour, two sinusoids of polished steel rise about 14 metres: this is The Life Electric, the sculpture Daniel Libeskind dedicated to Alessandro Volta and which since 2015 has closed the walk on the lake.
History
The breakwater was built in 1870, when the old harbour was filled in to make room for piazza Cavour and a new steamer landing was made in front of the square: a barrier against the waves was needed. Until 1965, when the goods yard in the lakeside gardens was closed, it was not joined to the mainland; today, 340 metres long and named after Piero Caldirola, it is one of the city’s best-loved walks (alessandrovolta.it).
The design is a gift from Libeskind to the Comune di Como; the making and installation, and the refurbishment of the breakwater, are a gift from the association Amici di Como (according to the association, together with the Consorzio Como Turistica) on the occasion of Expo 2015. The work was presented on 9 October 2014 and inaugurated on 2 October 2015, with the architect cutting the ribbon: the idea was to open it on 1 May, with the Milan Expo, but work was delayed. Libeskind, born in 1946, is the author of the Ground Zero masterplan in New York and of the Jewish Museum in Berlin; on 8 September 2026 he was awarded the Praemium Imperiale for architecture, with the ceremony planned in Tokyo on 28 October.
What to see
The work is 13.75 metres high (14.25 from the ground, according to Wikipedia; others say about 14) and weighs 29 tonnes. It is made of steel clad in stainless steel, while another source speaks of sinusoids of tempered steel. The two opposing curves recall Volta’s initials, “AV”, and the tension between the two poles of a battery, the scientist’s gift to humanity; the polished surface reflects sky, lake and mountains, and the landscape seems to enter the work. At its foot is an elliptical bench. The sculpture is the third ideal vertex, with the Faro Voltiano and the Tempio Voltiano, of the monuments dedicated to Volta.
Controversy
Just after the project was presented, in October 2014, the civic list “Adesso Como” declared itself against the site and wanted to propose a consultative referendum. The promoters gathered 4,478 signatures, but the referendum could not be called because the work was already at an advanced stage (Wikipedia).
Practical information
- The sculpture stands at the end of the breakwater, a pedestrian walk from the lakefront and in front of piazza Cavour; with the Como Lago station and the piazza Cavour landing stage it is easy to reach.
- We found no official source on the rules of access to the breakwater.
