Un suono in estinzione: Recording the Dying Sound of the Adamello Glacier
Sergio Maggioni's project 'Un suono in estinzione' (A Dying Sound) captures the acoustic signature of the Adamello Glacier, the largest in the Italian Alps, which is predicted to disappear by 2100. Maggioni, a sound artist based in Val Camonica, installed bioacoustic recorders in crevasses and hydrophones on the ice during expeditions starting in summer 2021. The data is analyzed with scientists including Prof. Roberto Ranzi (University of Brescia), researcher Gianni Pavan (University of Pavia), and Alessio Degani. The project is coordinated by Filippo Rosati, president of Umanesimo Artificiale, and involves universities, parks, festivals, and museums. The team plans further expeditions in summer 2022 with new recorders and aims to create remote monitoring from valley labs. They are also engaging with other Alpine parks to document glaciers before they vanish. The work blends art, science, and technology to raise environmental awareness.
Key facts
- Sergio Maggioni is the sound artist behind 'Un suono in estinzione'.
- The project focuses on the Adamello Glacier in Val Camonica, Italy.
- The glacier is predicted to disappear by 2100, along with 92% of Alpine glaciers.
- First expedition took place in summer 2021.
- Four recorders were placed in crevasses, plus a contact hydrophone and a surface hydrophone.
- Four subsequent expeditions covered 70 km and 9,000 meters of elevation gain.
- Collaborators include Prof. Roberto Ranzi (University of Brescia), Gianni Pavan (University of Pavia), and Alessio Degani.
- The project spans at least five years, with new expeditions planned for summer 2022.
Entities
Artists
- Sergio Maggioni
Institutions
- Umanesimo Artificiale
- University of Brescia
- University of Pavia
- NABA
- Artribune
- Sineglossa
Locations
- Adamello Glacier
- Val Camonica
- Italy
- Italian Alps
- Antarctica