Serra madre, a new cultural production centre conceived by Kilowatt, opens its space inside Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita in Bologna on 12 September, to promote an ecological imagination through dialogue between art and science with the aim of building alternative presents and desirable, accessible futures.
With a dense programme of events, exhibitions, workshops, performances and talk greenhouse mother, from 12 to 29 September kicks off a series of shared actions designed to trace new trajectories together on environmental and cultural issues.
A symbolic moment of the first day is the opening speech by Tim Ingold, Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen, who revolutionised the role of anthropology by emphasising the power of imagination.
Conceived as a porous place of exchange, a mother glasshouse contains and protects, but at the same time reveals and grows, it embraces all artistic practices, making them dialogue with scientific research and technology, creating a space open to the imagination with a constant focus on generating positive impact. To do this, it nurtures and accompanies artistic production and research through residencies, public programmes, educational workshops, training, workshops and exhibitions.
This place stands as a research space that incorporates in its architectural structure its tension towards a fusion of ecology, art and innovative technologies.
The project to regenerate the space, signed by the Laprimastanza architecture studio composed of Davide Agostini, Matteo Battistini and Francesco Ceccarelli, started from its history: from a structure dedicated to plants, to an abandoned place, the greenhouse is transformed into a hybrid cultural centre dedicated to art and ecological themes, readapted to overcome all dichotomies, first and foremost the human-nature one.
Serra madre is a tangible example of how existing resources can be preserved and enhanced rather than consumed, making them opportunities for rebirth and community. In a world where urban sprawl continues to threaten natural and agricultural areas, regenerating existing places is a sustainable choice, capable of generating a positive and lasting impact for citizens. serra madre is committed to ensuring that its activities do not cause significant damage to the surrounding environment, thus promoting the long-term well-being of the natural ecosystem and the local community.
The greenery surrounding the mother greenhouse is not considered as a decorative element, but is an integral part of an architectural and regeneration approach conceived as a tool for combating climate change: each plant has also been assessed according to the amount of CO2 it is able to assimilate. For this, fast-growing plants were selected, which ensure a significant absorption of CO2, thus strengthening the surrounding ecosystem.
In addition, thanks to the collaboration with Aquaponic Design, a multidisciplinary team that works to promote and disseminate new systems of above-ground cultivation, a system for offsetting CO2 emissions will be created for Greenhouse Mother through the creation of an innovative algae cultivation system fed by rainwater, thanks to which Greenhouse Mother will be able to absorb up to 27 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Serra madre will be equipped with an immersive audio structure capable of raising awareness and educating through hyper-realistic immersive environments. Through the most innovative practices in the field of Bio-acoustics and Eco-acoustics research and experimentation, Greenhouse Mother combines art and science to explore, understand and narrate key aspects of the environmental and climate crisis, while enhancing the user experience and the effectiveness of the activities.
(from the press release)
Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita, Bologna, Italy, September 12 – 19, 2024
Opening speech: Tim Ingold, September 12, 2024, 6.30p.m.
The cultural production takes place thanks to the support of various realities, projects and contributions: the GRIN S+T+ARTS project and the sponsors of the artistic residencies: Alfasigma, Emil Banca, Crif and iFab, the ‘Per chi Crea’ programme with the support of the MiC and SIAE, and the Creative Living Lab – Edition 5 project, promoted by the Contemporary Creativity General Management of the Ministry of Culture. Lastly, the contribution of sponsor Alce Nero, which with its organic products will support the opening menus created by the kitchen of VETRO Bistrot, Kilowatt’s catering project in the Greenhouses of the Giardini Margherita.
The space regeneration project, conceived and created by Kilowatt, has been co-financed by Kilowatt, Regione Emilia Romagna with resources from the Regional Programme for Productive Activities – Activity 5.1 and PR-FESR 2021-2027 Priority 1 – Action 1.3.4, by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna and by the European Union – NextGenerationEU with funding managed by the Ministry of Culture.
Financial partners: Emilbanca, CFI – Cooperazione finanza impresa società cooperativa per azioni, Fondo Sviluppo and Coopfond.
Developed in cooperation with the Municipality of Bologna.
Design and work direction Studio LAPRIMASTANZA.
Technical support: Concrete Acoustics, Antonio Lovato, Riccardo Rizzotto. Aquaponic Design srl for the algae cultivation systems and above-ground vertical garden.
images: (cover 1) Serra madre – A place for ecological imagination, 2024, aereal view, photo by Francesco Lombardo, courtesy Kilowatt (2-3) Calin Segal – Tales from the Receding Edge, 2024. Courtesy the Artist (4-5) Salomé Bazin – Destination Earth, 2023. Courtesy the Artist
