Opening serra madre: A new cultural production center conceived by Kilowatt opens its space within Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita in Bologna on September 12. Its aim is to foster ecological imagination through dialogue between art and science, with the goal of creating alternative presents and desirable, accessible futures.
With a packed program of events, exhibitions, workshops, performances, and talks, serra madre launches a series of shared actions from September 12 to 29, designed to trace new trajectories on environmental and cultural themes.
A symbolic moment of the first day is the opening speech by Tim Ingold, Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen, who has revolutionized the role of anthropology by emphasizing the power of imagination.
Conceived as a porous and exchangeable space, serra madre contains and protects, while also revealing and nurturing. It embraces all artistic practices, allowing them to engage with scientific research and technology, creating a space open to imagination with a constant focus on generating a positive impact. To achieve this, it supports and accompanies artistic production and research through residencies, public programs, educational workshops, training, and exhibitions.
The space aims to be a research venue that integrates its architectural structure with a drive towards a fusion of ecology, art, and innovative technologies.
The space regeneration project, designed by the architectural firm Laprimastanza (composed of Davide Agostini, Matteo Battistini, and Francesco Ceccarelli), started from its history: from a plant-dedicated structure to an abandoned place, the greenhouse transforms into a hybrid cultural center dedicated to art and ecological themes, adapted to overcome all dichotomies, primarily that between human and nature.
serra madre represents a tangible example of how it is possible to preserve and enhance existing resources instead of consuming new ones, turning them into opportunities for rebirth and community. In a world where urban expansion continues to threaten natural and agricultural areas, regenerating existing places represents a sustainable choice, capable of generating a positive and lasting impact on the community. serra madre is committed to ensuring that its activities do not cause significant harm to the surrounding environment, thereby promoting the long-term well-being of the natural ecosystem and the local community.
The greenery surrounding serra madre is not considered a decorative element but is an integral part of an architectural and regeneration approach designed as a tool to combat climate change: each plant was evaluated based on the amount of CO2 it can absorb. Therefore, fast-growing plants have been selected to ensure significant CO2 absorption, thus strengthening the surrounding ecosystem.
Additionally, thanks to the collaboration with Aquaponic Design, a multidisciplinary team promoting and disseminating new soilless cultivation systems, serra madre will implement a CO2 emission compensation system through an innovative algae cultivation plant powered by rainwater, allowing serra madre to absorb up to 27 tons of CO2 per year.
serra madre will feature an immersive audio structure capable of sensitizing and educating through hyper-realistic immersive environments. Through the most innovative practices in bioacoustics and ecoacoustics research and experimentation, serra madre combines art and science to explore, understand, and narrate key aspects of the environmental and climate crisis, simultaneously improving user experience and the effectiveness of activities.
Cultural production is supported by various entities, projects, and contributions: the GRIN S+T+ARTS project and sponsors of artistic residencies including Alfasigma, Emil Banca, Crif, and iFab; the ‘Per chi Crea’ program supported by MiC and SIAE; and the Creative Living Lab – Edition 5 project, promoted by the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture. Additionally, sponsor Alce Nero, with its organic products, will support the creation of the opening menus by the kitchen of VETRO Bistrot, Kilowatt’s dining project at Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita.