Where are we now? Where are we within the history of this site? 

The installation Uniteld: Between the Two represents a state/moment in the life of the Filanda factory building—an in-between period in its history, from a factory to a future creative hub. An ephemeral non-space between the two purposes.

Two walls facing each other highlight what it was and what it will be. On one side, the walls that surrounded the plant when it was in service during its production times first as a silk, and after as a paper factory. On the other side, the walls, which, according to today’s plan, will be constructed later on for its new use, dividing the main hall into smaller enclosed spaces.

The project is the third study case of Ronco’s methodology: Sustainable Art Practices: Towards a Socio-Ecological Methodology Within Site-Specific, Land, and Installation Art. It questions normative artistic approaches, focusing on the use of local, sustainable materials, vernacular tools/techniques, and community engagement through workshops. Sustainability must be an integral part of the creative process, with site-specificity as the core, involving a comprehensive understanding of the local environment, history, and identity. 

During the project at Villa Filanda Antonini, the production of the artwork focused on the use of local resources, such as soil, sand, wood, and straw, through a traditional Venetian wattle and daub technique: “Arella porta-intonaco”. 

The creation of the artwork was based on a workshop and multiple following production days involving many people between friends, field experts, and local entities. The support of several local figures was crucial to the success of the project. Deep gratitude to Isabella Breda, rammed earth specialist; Fabio Giacomin for supplying straw; Alan Bergamo for the wood and soil; the team of eleven participants who joined the workshop and assisted in creating the installation in the days that followed.

This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.