Bitume Platform transforms former Ragusa bitumen factory into art space

The Antonino Ancione factory in Ragusa, Sicily, which produced bitumen from the local 'pietra pece' fossil material used to pave roads across Europe between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, has reopened as Bitume – Industrial Platform of Arts. The factory ceased operations in 2013. Under artistic director Vincenzo Cascone, known for founding the FestiWall mural festival in Ragusa, over 30 international artists have created works on the site's cooling tanks and cement silos. Artists include Guido van Helten (Australia), Luca Barcellona (Italy), M-City (Poland), Sebas Velasco (Spain), Simek and Dimitris Taxis (Greece), Alexey Luka (Moscow), Martina Merlini (Italy), Moneyless and Never 2501 (Italy), Francisco Bosoletti (Argentina), Ampparito (Madrid), Case Maclaim and SatOne (Germany), Licama (Sicily), and photographer Alex Fakso. The project involves Manfredi Ancione, the last heir of the Ancione family and a former factory worker, who provides guided tours blending art and industrial archaeology, including anecdotes about former workers like Carmelo 'Meno Leffa', depicted on a silo. Bitume is supported by the Sicilian Regional Assembly, the Municipality of Ragusa, the Federico II Foundation of Palermo, the Faculty of Geology of the University of Catania, the Cesare Zipelli Foundation, the Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa, and the EcoMuseo Carat. Visits are available until March 2021 by reservation.