Working collaboratively, geographer Dr Alberto Valz Gris and artist Cecilia Ceccherini focussed their research for the Materia program on histories of water usage in the Valle Umbra.

Political ecology describes water as a multiform and dynamic assemblage of both humans and nonhumans, of bodies and machines, with both technical and social elements. This reality is best captured by the term ‘hydrosocial territories’.

For UMRU: FRAGMENTS FROM THE HYDROSOCIAL CYCLE OF THE VALLE UMBRA, Cecilia and Alberto have selected a number of case studies which illustrate the complex hydrosocial histories of the region. These diverse studies include research on local water mythologies (specifically St. George and the dragon, who dried up swamps with his breath), contested water sources used for the commercial bottling of drinking water, and the survival of a rare mountain shrimp in the Sibillini Mountains. As part of the project, Cecilia is weaving a large-scale tiled map whose interconnecting symbols will be used as an abstract key to access the studies and their related issues. The studies will be written up by Alberto, his texts taking a semi-diaristic mode.

CARLY BREAME: DINING IN THE VALLE UMBRA – TERRA E VINO

Ceramicist, materials designer and researcher Carly Breame joined the Materia program in partnership with the University of the Arts, Art for the Environment residency initiative. Carly began her residency asking, ‘How can the dining table – specifically tableware – represent the material culture of Spoleto and the surrounding region? How can the landscape be reflected in the experience of dining?’

Initially Carly investigated the geological landscape of Umbria, examining and sourcing accessible clay deposits exposed in riverbeds, landslides and quarries. The largest clay source came from a quarry in Marsciano producing roof tiles. The sheer scale of the quarry drew attention to the environmental impact that the extraction of materials such as clay have on the landscape, particularly when processed as products for our built environment. Creating knowledge around materials, by tracing their extraction and understanding their impact on the environment, is at the centre of her project.

In Umbria, fertile land is predominantly used for vineyards and olive groves. Carly incorporated various local ashes as well as by-products from the wine-making process – grape skins and stems – in her ceramic glazes. Using the locally sourced clay and glaze ingredients, she produced several prototype utensils in collaboration with the Deruta-based master potter Fabio Veschini. The designs reflect the important regional ceramic traditions.

Filling the utensils with food, Carly said, ‘The Open Studio event is an invitation to gather around the dining table, to eat and drink from utensils which materially represent the Valle Umbra, and to engage in conversations around the materials we use day to day.’

THE TREE THAT BURNS – JOSHUA LEON AND DANIELA RUIZ MORENO

We were also joined by artist Joshua Leon and curator Daniela Ruiz Moreno, whose project  The tree that burns focusses on olive tree farming in Umbria and the cultural significance of olive tree production through social, economic and political realities. As part of the project, they will cultivate abandoned olive trees in the local area and use the harvest for lamp oil which will burn in lamps placed across Spoleto during the Festival dei Due Mondi.

Finally, in the Torre Bonomo we hosted the collective jocjonjosch. Their work, which includes performances, sculptures, paintings, photographs and videos, are expressesions of the world they experience, specifically a world shaped by their relationships with others and with each other.

Recently these relationships have been expressed through their c0llaborative photographic paintings in which jocjonjosch manipulate the photographic process by wrapping the paper around their bodies whilst exposing it to light, or by scratching the surface from the print.

Their processes and techniques are often conflicted and result in uncertain resolutions, which bring into question distinctions made between oppositions like production and destruction, efficiency and waste, purposiveness and pointlessness. jocjonjosch will be developing a new project with us over the next two years.