Swiss Italian Artist, Joe Scolari, crafts magical interactive experiences inspired by the wonder of woodlands and wild spaces. Playful marble runs twist and cascade between trees, rocks and other natural elements found on the forest floor. The form and shape of these playful sculptures are guided completely by the natural topography of the landscape. Created to evoke a sense of joy and adventure, Scolari’s interactive installations are completely grounded in the strict simplicity of the natural materials he uses to create these marble runs—wood and rock.
Scolari, a father of three, wanted to instill his passion for nature and the outdoors in his children. He was concerned with the many digital distractions that preoccupy the minds and time of families and so he decided to do something about it—this was the beginning of the first marble runs. Joe created 23 interactive marble runs at BoBosco, located in the Verzasca Valley, Ticino, Switzerland.
According to the artist “The title of this work, ‘Ciügabocc’ is an invented dialect expression which is impossible to translate exactly. ‘Ciügare’ means to put your hand to something, but also to spin something, to try to do something; ‘bocc’ on the other hand means balls. Then there is a further play on words, humorous, because the term also refers to the name of the famous dung beetle, again in dialect, that intricately rolls a ball of dung, pushing it through the woods to its hiding place.”
Breck Create Wooden Marbles $10 | Available at the Old Masonic Hall
Marbles are also available to borrow at the trailhead!
Park at or take the trolley to the Ice Rink Parking Lot. Trail begins in the Southeast corner of the lot.
Take a right and walk a flat .25 miles to get to the Illinois Creek Trail marble run.
Pin for Illinois Creek Marble Run
Go up the hill then left and follow signs for Little Mountain Trail. The second marble run is at the top of this Little Mountain! This is a more adventurous trail and is a 1.5 mile loop.
Joe Scolari’s connection to nature and passion for the mountains have shaped his creative path. After training as a carpenter, he spent several years working outdoors in trail construction and maintenance. While he enjoyed the work, he longed for more freedom and a way to express his creativity. In 2022, he began working as a freelance artist, creating interactive art and play installations designed to help children—and adults—engage with the forest in playful, meaningful harmony with the natural world.