Dolomiti Contemporanee: 10 Years of Mountain Regeneration Through Art
Established in 2011, Dolomiti Contemporanee revitalizes derelict locations in the Dolomites through cultural and artistic initiatives, a movement that began following the UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2009. Gianluca D'Incà Levis, the founder, seeks to combat local stagnation by transforming sites such as the former Eni village in Borca di Cadore and the old elementary school in Casso, which reopened in 2012. The initiative employs artist residencies and collaborations to repurpose these spaces while honoring their historical significance. In 2021, it was showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale's Italian Pavilion. Future endeavors include the exhibition 'Vaccanza, The Mountain Tropical Experience' starting July 31 in Casso, along with two publications: 'Storie Pallide' and 'Anatomia e dinamica di un territorio'.
Key facts
- Dolomiti Contemporanee was founded in 2011.
- The Dolomites were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009.
- The project regenerates abandoned sites including ex-factories, ex-villages, ex-schools, ex-castles, and military architectures.
- The ex-Eni village in Borca di Cadore was designed by architect Edoardo Gellner for Enrico Mattei.
- The elementary school in Casso (Vajont) was closed after the 1963 disaster and reopened by Dolomiti Contemporanee in 2012.
- In 2021, the project was featured in the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale curated by Alessandro Melis.
- It was also included in the Farnesina's 'Ideas' platform showcasing five innovative projects.
- The collective exhibition 'Vaccanza, The Mountain Tropical Experience' opens July 31 in Casso.
- Thirteen artists from Fondazione Malutta participated in a residency at the ex-Eni village.
- Two books are forthcoming: 'Storie Pallide' by Riccardo Giacomini and Giulia Maria Belli, and 'Anatomia e dinamica di un territorio' by Bauer School of Photography students.
- The photographic research maps landscape transformations for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Dolomiti Contemporanee has a network of over 500 partners including public administrations, companies, research institutions, and universities.
Entities
Artists
- Gianluca D'Incà Levis
- Riccardo Giacomini
- Giulia Maria Belli
- Edoardo Gellner
- Enrico Mattei
- Alessandro Melis
- Karl Felix Wolff
Institutions
- Dolomiti Contemporanee
- UNESCO
- Fondazione Malutta
- Hotel Boite
- Scuola di Fotografia Bauer di Milano
- Farnesina (Direzione Generale per la Promozione del Sistema Paese)
- Biennale di Architettura di Venezia
- Padiglione Italia
- Artribune
Locations
- Dolomiti
- Borca di Cadore
- Casso
- Vajont
- Venezia
- Milano
- Cortina
- Italia