Italian agri-food waste reborn as innovative materials, design and collectible art.
Residui – from waste to wonder is an exhibition on the circular economy, the creative potential of agri-food waste, and nine limited-edition design pieces, designed to travel between Italian Cultural Institutes around the world. The project was born at the invitation of Valentina Croci, co-curator, with a specific request: an exhibition design for a show conceived to be always on the move. We started from one word: lightness. Calvino’s lightness, understood as the value of subtraction: removing what is not essential, in matter as in gesture.
The system is made up of six containers, inspired by the emblem of travel: the suitcase. Some carry the artworks, one is dedicated to the materials library, and the last holds all the accessories needed to set up the exhibition. The crates are not only for transport: they are the display structures themselves.
Once on site, the modules open and, with simple rotations and assemblies, turn into display elements.
The whole project is built on extremely simple gestures, made possible by highly complex details designed for the people who will install it, like the dry-fit trays that hold and stabilize the materials on the modules.
The system is made of six modules. Five carry the artworks and everything needed to set up the show: spotlights, accessories and technical components. The sixth holds the materials library. Starting from the size of a half pallet, we designed each module not only for transport, but to become the display itself.
These drawings are part of the instruction and assembly booklet that travels with the exhibition.
All you need is a 3 mm Allen key, 2 to 4 people and 1 to 2 days of work.
The same elements can be recomposed into three layouts, to adapt to the spaces of different institutes: 50 m² layout
Two large islands of different heights, a linear one for the materials and a single plinth for the artworks.
100 m² layout:
Two islands for the materials library, which multiply visitor flows, and a landscape-island for the artworks
From 150 m² layout and upwards:
An “atomised” display, with three islands for the materials library and a dedicated plinth for each artwork.
The structures are made of anodised aluminium, chosen for its strength, recyclability and luminosity. Its reflective surface contrasts with the exhibited materials, which are matte, porous and granular. Some details are 3D-printed. Everything can be disassembled, repaired and recycled.
The project is a story of transformation: not only what is seen, but what happens before and after the exhibition speaks of a possible new vision of the world.
Valentina Croci and HoperAperta (Patrizia Catalano e Martina Barberis Casagrande)
Studio GISTO
Alessandro Mason, Davide Biancucci, Alice Fialà, Vittoria Brugali
Nolostand
Emanuele Zamponi
Mark Anderson, Armando Bruno e Alberto Torres, Alfonso Femia / AF*Design, Cristina Fiorenza, Duccio Grassi, Giulio Iacchetti, NùeVù Studio, Davide Valoppi, Carmelo Zappulla
Amorim Cork Italia, Codigo Materia, Coffeefrom, Eumakers, Krill Design, Mixcycling, MLE Lighting, Ohoskin®, Orange Fiber, SuperForma, Valledì, Vérabuccia