On December 17, 2024, at the Curia Iulia of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo in Rome [Colosseum Archaeological Park in Rome], the presentation of the volume “In-genium. Gazes into technology past and future” [Silvana Editoriale], created through the sponsorship of the MAIRE Group with its Fondazione MAIRE - ETS. A research project on the roots of ancient technology and its links with today's engineering capacity, explored in the philosophical, semiotic as well as archaeological and architectural spheres, but especially through the language of contemporary photography.
The photography book traces the history of téchne – the art of craftsmanship and knowledge – in works created by students and masters from the Accademie di Belle Arti of Brera, Catania and Rome, who took part in an experimental “artist residency” workshop in Rome coordinated by Carmelo Nicosia. The book opens with a sequence of powerful shots by Luca Campigotto, intersected with industrial landscapes of plants built by MAIRE from the company’s archive: a novel combination described in the introduction by Nunzio Giustozzi. Each section opens with an introduction combining philosophy and semiology edited by Ilaria Gaspari, and a fact sheet written by the archaeologists, architects and art restorers responsible for managing the different sites. The photographic journey creates a bridge between the technology of yesterday and today, and shows how the challenges of engineering apply to a sustainable future.
During the presentation, the photo project came to life by transforming into Jacopo Veneziani's spoken story, a podcast curated by Chora Media - “Futuro Anteriore” [he podcast is available only in Italian, here]
“The In-genium project is a unique opportunity to tell the story of the interweaving of ancient ingenuity and contemporary innovation through the universal language of photography. Working with MAIRE has allowed us to enhance iconic places in the Park, shedding new light on their symbolic value. This dialogue between past and future not only enriches knowledge of our past, but also stimulates reflections on how cultural heritage can inspire solutions for tomorrow's technological and sustainable challenges,” said Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum.
Fabrizio Di Amato, President of MAIRE and Fondazione MAIRE, commented, “In-genium offers an opportunity to recount the past from a perspective that looks both at culture and technology as two sides of the same coin. The project was created in collaboration with MAIRE and the Archaeological Park in an ongoing dialogue envisaging a sustainable future. The technical knowledge of the ancient Romans was the foundation for many features of modern industry. I am particularly pleased with this collaboration and the contribution of photographers from the Italian Academies of Fine Arts: an opportunity for young talents to engage with the engineering questions of yesterday and today, and the future at the service of the energy transition. I am convinced that this project will be an inspiration to the humanist engineers we need and are already training for the future”.
A selection of the volume’s photographs will remain on display at the Colosseum Archaeological Park for the 2024 holiday season. Enjoy!
The volume, edited by Silvana Editoriale, is currently on sale.
