iCù

Atelier Simondi, Officina Fabre, Prometheus APS

The sound installation “iCÙ” allows anyone who wishes to listen to an ancient and mysterious sound. By turning the crank, the sound will be produced by the artwork created by Matteo Simondi in collaboration with Associazione Prometheus and Officina Fabre. The Piedmontese architect conceived the concept and designed the structure, which was then realized through collaboration with two initiatives dedicated to the preservation and transmission of ancient artisanal knowledge: Prometheus, based in Dronero (CN), disseminates the art of manual scything, while Fabre, located in Berzo Inferiore (BS), focuses on metal forging, starting from an unusual object: the hoe mold. This year’s SMACH Biennale theme also stems from the inspiration provided by an agricultural tool: the whetstone. What you will hear by activating the installation—a kind of “noise-intoning machine” that nods to Luigi Russolo—is, in fact, the sound made by the stone when sharpening the blade of a scythe.

Exhibit place Pares

When we look at the forest, we often think it is a product of nature, but the larch forest in this area is actually the result of human activity. For over a thousand years, the community of Longiarù has managed and shaped it. The larch is, in fact, the most economically important tree for mountain communities, not only in these mountains but throughout the Alps. For the high valley inhabitants, the larch was as crucial as the chestnut was for those in the lower valleys. Thus, these forests have been protected for centuries and used only to the extent strictly necessary. Its use has been intense and varied: it has served as cradle and coffin, in the making of sacred objects, for shelter and warmth, as home decoration, and as a tool for daily work. 

The Latin name is Larix decidua, which is thought to derive from the Celtic word lar meaning “fat,” due to its high resin content. The term decidua indicates that it is the only native conifer that sheds its needles in autumn and winter. Another important feature is its light canopy, allowing a great deal of sunlight to reach the forest floor. Therefore, larch forests are considered silvopastures – habitats created by humans through selective thinning, favoring these conifers to allow dual exploitation of the land: timber production and grass for animals. 

Additionally, larch fungi and lichens were (and still are, to some extent) used in herbal medicine. For example, the mushroom Fomitopsis pinicola was used to stop bleeding, while lichens of the Usnea genus have antibiotic properties due to their content of usnic acid. 

Lastly, nearby are the Lagac springs (Natural Monument 083_G04). This is one of those hidden, isolated places where humans can experience the forces emanating from nature. The element of water, significant in myths and legends (the Ganes always lived near springs or lakes), creates synergies to ignite the imagination and spirit of those who can pause in this place.