ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Pianpicollo Research Residency Launches in Alta Langa

artist · 2026-05-04

A new interdisciplinary initiative, the Pianpicollo Research Residency, has been established at Pianpicollo Selvatico in Alta Langa, close to the Ligurian border. This year-long program, envisioned by physicist Alice Benessia, promotes creative exchanges among art, science, and philosophy while engaging with nature and local communities. Benessia purchased the farmhouse in 2011, converting it into an experimental art-science research farm with the help of three EU grants. Since 2017, Associazione Culturale Pianpicollo Selvatico has overseen the program, which has received support from Fondazione CRC, Regione Piemonte, and Politecnico di Torino. The first resident artist, Maurizio Cilli, has produced a public installation, with upcoming presentations scheduled for November 16, November 20, and December 15. Future artists include Attila Faravelli and Tim Ingold.

Key facts

  • Pianpicollo Research Residency is a year-long interdisciplinary program in Alta Langa.
  • The residency was conceived by Alice Benessia, a physicist and researcher.
  • Benessia acquired the farmhouse in 2011 and began transforming it into a research farm.
  • The project has won three European Union grants.
  • The residency is managed by Associazione Culturale Pianpicollo Selvatico since 2017.
  • Support comes from Fondazione CRC, Regione Piemonte, and Politecnico di Torino.
  • First resident artist Maurizio Cilli created a sandstone installation with a ritual procession.
  • Future residents include Attila Faravelli and Tim Ingold.

Entities

Artists

  • Alice Benessia
  • Maurizio Cilli
  • Paul Kane
  • Kerry Conway
  • Attila Faravelli
  • Tim Ingold
  • Andrea Caretto
  • Raffaella Spagna

Institutions

  • Pianpicollo Research Residency
  • Pianpicollo Selvatico
  • Associazione Culturale Pianpicollo Selvatico
  • Fondazione CRC
  • Regione Piemonte
  • Politecnico di Torino
  • Dipartimento di Architettura e Design del Politecnico di Torino
  • European Union
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Alta Langa
  • Pianpicollo Selvatico
  • Liguria
  • Turin
  • Cortemilia
  • Cuneo
  • Italy

Sources