Exploring Ruins and Shelters: Demanio Marittimo.KM-278 Highlights Architecture and Art

The fourteenth edition of Demanio Marittimo.KM-278, curated by Cristiana Colli and Pippo Ciorra, is set to take place on a public beach in Marzocca di Senigallia from 6pm on July 19 to 6am the next morning. This event is a marathon dedicated to architecture, arts, design, and the Adriatic dimension.

This year’s theme, RUINS&SHELTERS, addresses two significant issues: the accelerated production of ruins due to wars, conflicts, and disasters, and the urgent need for shelters and protection for increasingly vulnerable communities and individuals. The event setting is based on the winning design from a student competition hosted by the SAAD, School of Architecture at the University of Camerino. The winning team for the OLTRE project includes Fatijon Ademaj, Michele Forti, Qendron Mema, Gloria Seri, and Elisa Valori.

The marathon will commence with a tribute to this year’s Master of Territory, Guido Guidi, whose work will be discussed by Simona Antonacci, Carlo Birrozzi, and Antonello Frongia. The event also marks the 100th anniversary of Paolo Volponi with lectures by Massimo Raffaeli, Aldo Bonomi, and Giovanni Russo, curator of an exhibition at the Ducal Palace of Urbino.

A significant portion of the event will focus on Kosovo, featuring curator and critic Alex Fisher, Mayor of Pristina Perparim Rama, and curators of Hangar e Autostrada Biennale Leutrim Fishekqiu and Vatra Abrashi. Artists such as Sislej Xhafa, Artan Hajrullahu, and Blerta Hashani will also participate.

Discussions on cultural heritage will be led by Andrea Viliani, Director of the Museum of Civilizations in Rome, and Davide Quadrio, Director of MAO (Museum of Oriental Art) in Turin. The theme RUINS&SHELTERS emphasizes the fragile centrality of living beings, both human and non-human, with discussions by sociologist Marco Dotti, architectural historian Francesco Benelli, and composer David Monacchi.

The event also commemorates the 150th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi’s birth, highlighting his pioneering radio connection between Ancona and Cornwall. Technological philosopher Cosimo Accoto, Andrea Borgnino, and artist Giovanni Gaggia will reflect on Marconi’s legacy.

The New York-based firm Lot-Ek will present their work and preview a film dedicated to them by director Tom Piper. Various artists, designers, and filmmakers will be featured, including Gustav Düsing, Pietro Martino Federico Pizzi, and Grazzini, Tonazzini, Colombo. Other notable presentations include Alix Boillot’s Grace, HPO collective’s TTT installation, and Lemonot collective’s Talamo project.

Design frontiers will be explored through the film “We are the Others” by Maria Cristina Didero and Francesca Molteni, celebrating the 40-year career of the Brazilian Campana brothers. Following the screening, the authors will converse with Marva Griffin. Three shorter films produced by LINA fellows will be introduced by their creators.

The event is promoted by MAPPE magazine, Gagliardini Editore, and Associazione Demanio Marittimo.Km-278, in collaboration with MAXXI, the Municipality of Senigallia, the Marche Region, and supported by a network of businesses, institutions, and associations.