SUPERBLAST: Art and Sustainability at Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence
SUPERBLAST took place at Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence from September 16 to 18, 2021, showcasing performances and exhibitions that examined post-anthropocentric connections. Curated by Caterina Taurelli Salimbeni and organized by NAM-Not a Museum, the event highlighted the work of six artists—Edoardo Aruta, Antonio Bermúdez Obregón, Federica Di Pietrantonio, Oliviero Fiorenzi, Iper-Collettivo, and Violette Maillard—who were chosen from over 700 submissions. Each artist produced site-specific pieces during a residency from April to September. Notable works included Fiorenzi's wind-driven sculpture, Iper-Collettivo's acoustic bridge, and Maillard's experimental sidecar. The event aligned with the God is Green festival (September 15–21), which focused on sustainable energy and art. An online archive can be accessed at www.superblast.it.
Key facts
- SUPERBLAST took place September 16–18, 2021 at Manifattura Tabacchi, Florence.
- Curated by Caterina Taurelli Salimbeni of NAM-Not a Museum.
- Six artists selected from over 700 international applicants.
- Artists created site-specific works during a residency from April to September 2021.
- Works will remain at Manifattura Tabacchi.
- Oliviero Fiorenzi's 4-20 Airmarks is a wind-activated kinetic sculpture developed with University of Florence wind engineers.
- Violette Maillard's Bargaruda I sidecar will be converted to electric with support from University of Florence's Department of Industrial Engineering.
- Federica Di Pietrantonio's Not so far away uses Google Lens to analyze video game landscapes.
- Antonio Bermúdez Obregón's Nature is Not Green contrasts Amazon deforestation with Dutch state forests.
- Edoardo Aruta's La furia del dire uses vinyl records of Italian political and cultural broadcasts.
- God is Green festival ran September 15–21, 2021, produced by NAM and Manifattura Tabacchi.
- Online archive at www.superblast.it; print volume forthcoming from Nero Editions.
Entities
Artists
- Caterina Taurelli Salimbeni
- Edoardo Aruta
- Antonio Bermúdez Obregón
- Federica Di Pietrantonio
- Oliviero Fiorenzi
- Iper-Collettivo
- Giulia Landini
- Lorenzo Romaniello
- Lorenzo Vacirca
- Marco Conti
- Violette Maillard
- Michelangelo Giombini
- Pier Luigi Nervi
- Cesare Pavese
- Sergio Risaliti
- Emanuela Ferretti
- Giovanni Ferrara
- Alessandro Bianchini
- Erica Petrillo
- Daniela Cotimbo
- Antonio Perazzi
- Alessandra Quattordio
Institutions
- Manifattura Tabacchi
- NAM-Not a Museum
- University of Florence
- University of Florence Department of Industrial Engineering
- Staatsbosbeheer
- Nero Editions
- God is Green
- Galleria del Levante
- Università Statale di Milano
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Tuscany
- Umbria
- Amazon
- Netherlands
- Milan