Vulcana Festival on Stromboli Explores Sublimation, Data, and Magic Thought
In July 2026, the second installment of Vulcana, an art festival organized by Nicolò Gravina and Cornelia Mattiacci, unfolded on Stromboli in the Aeolian archipelago. Centered around the theme 'Sublimation,' the event addressed the fixation on data-driven forecasts. The festival featured a variety of activities, including performances, film screenings, culinary experiences, and discussions. New works were produced by artists such as Liz Glynn, Ivan Cheng, and Compagnia Mòra. Glynn's performance explored the concept of time with local tools, while Cheng's 'Burnout' offered a critique of authority. Compagnia Mòra reinterpreted 'Verso la specie' for a cliff setting. Geophysicist Mario Mattia provided insights on volcano monitoring, and Alessandra Pallotta along with Sara Francesca Ferroni led a culinary intervention. This festival occurred during Sicily's hottest recorded summer, leading to a state of emergency.
Key facts
- Vulcana's second edition took place in July 2026 on Stromboli, curated by Nicolò Gravina and Cornelia Mattiacci.
- The theme 'Sublimation' was explored through scientific, philosophical, and psychoanalytic perspectives, referencing Jacques Lacan and Georges Bataille.
- Performances included Liz Glynn on the black lava beach, Ivan Cheng's 'Burnout' at the heliport, and Compagnia Mòra's 'Verso la specie' on a cliff.
- Geophysicist Mario Mattia from INGV Osservatorio Etneo gave a talk on volcano monitoring and risk prediction.
- A culinary intervention by Alessandra Pallotta and Sara Francesca Ferroni referenced ergotism on Alicudi and included alien-costumed performers.
- New paintings by Marco Pio Mucci were exhibited in a fake UFO center.
- Film screenings featured Dana Dawud and Angelicism01's 'Spielraum' (2026) and Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel's 'Comment ça va?' (2025) and 'Il faut regarder le feu ou brûler dedans' (2022).
- Musical performances were held in collaboration with MATTA, including sets by Arch Stanton, Vittoria Totale, es ti, and Fabrizio Vatieri.
- The festival coincided with Sicily's hottest summer on record, with temperatures reaching 37-40°C and the Mediterranean exceeding 32°C.
- The Sicilian Region declared a state of emergency for the summer due to widespread fires.
Entities
Artists
- Nicolò Gravina
- Cornelia Mattiacci
- Liz Glynn
- Ivan Cheng
- Compagnia Mòra
- Claudia Castellucci
- Alessandra Pallotta
- Sara Francesca Ferroni
- Marco Pio Mucci
- Dana Dawud
- Angelicism01
- Caroline Poggi
- Jonathan Vinel
- Arch Stanton
- Vittoria Totale
- es ti
- Fabrizio Vatieri
- MATTA
- Mario Mattia
- Andrea Fraser
- Georges Bataille
- Jacques Lacan
- Empedocles
- Friedrich Hölderlin
- Tinto Brass
- James George Frazer
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
- Ingrid Bergman
- Christopher Nolan
- Alvise Baia Curioni
- Ilaria Baia Curioni
- Caterina De Nicola
- Eugénie Didier
- Lilian Mikorey
- Matilde Cerruti Quara
- Mirjam Loibl
- Constantin John
- Tommaso Santambrogio
- Witt Fetter
- Manuela Morandi
- Niccolò Gravina
- Désirée Nakouzi De Monte
- Andrea Parenti
- Marco Dapino
- ti es
Institutions
- INGV Osservatorio Etneo
- MATTA
- Collezione Nancy Delroi
- La Sirenetta
- Tartana Club
- Regione Siciliana
- Tagli
- Vulcana. Sublimation
- American Academy in Rome
- Compagnia Mòra
- Forniture Pallotta
- INGV – Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia
- Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation
- Università degli Studi di Salerno
- Volcanic Attitude
- exibart.com
Locations
- Stromboli
- Italy
- Aeolian Islands
- Alicudi
- Sicily
- Catania
- Corsica
- France
- Mediterranean Sea
- Milan
- Naples
- Vesuvius
- Vulcano
- Iceland
- Martinique
- Mediterranean