Francesco Bertelé's Antopia Transforms Turin's Mirafiori Air-Raid Shelter into Immersive Art Space
Antopia, an installation by Francesco Bertelé, was unveiled on September 17 in the underground air-raid shelter of the Church of the Visitation of Mary and St. Barnabas, located in Turin's Mirafiori district. This church, established in 1617 by Duke Victor Amadeus I, functioned as a civilian air-raid shelter during World War II. Part of the Mirafiori dopo il Mito initiative, Antopia aims to merge industrial heritage with community engagement. The shelter honors Aldo Ratto (1929–2023), a guardian of local history. Featuring children's artwork illuminated on the walls, the project promotes intergenerational collaboration. Accessibility is supported by a digital survey from the Polytechnic University of Turin, with the installation open for viewing on September 26 during the Festival del Paesaggio Fluviale.
Key facts
- Antopia by Francesco Bertelé inaugurated on September 17 in the air-raid shelter of the Church of the Visitation of Mary and St. Barnabas in Turin's Mirafiori district.
- The church was founded in 1617 by Duke Victor Amadeus I; its basements became a civilian air-raid shelter during World War II.
- The installation is part of Mirafiori dopo il Mito, a program active since 2019 linking industrial memory, landscape, and community.
- Open one Saturday per month through 2027 by reservation; next opening on September 26 during the Festival del Paesaggio Fluviale at 12:30 and 13:15.
- The shelter was named after Aldo Ratto (Turin, 1929–2023), a local memory keeper.
- The project involved elderly residents of Mirafiori Sud and kindergarten children, who created drawings transformed into photoluminescent wall interventions.
- A soundscape by Gustaf Turmak combines the fairy tale with elderly voices and archival/artificial voices.
- Politecnico di Torino created a digital survey and virtual tour; ASTEC contributed historical reconstruction and guide training.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Bertelé
- Daniele Warm
- Gustaf Turmak
- Aldo Ratto
- Orietta Brombin
- Primo Levi
- Vittorio Amedeo I
- Valentina Muzi
Institutions
- Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine e San Barnaba
- Mirafiori dopo il Mito
- Politecnico di Torino
- ASTEC
- Comitato di Borgata di Mirafiori
- Fondazione Mirafiori
- Festival del Paesaggio Fluviale
- Artribune
Locations
- Turin
- Italy
- Mirafiori
- Cantù
- Mirafiori Sud