Conceived as a curatorial intervention expanding beyond enclosed venues to explore new geographies, Terraforma Exo confronts the challenges of navigating contemporary cultural landscapes by facilitating moments of deep introspection and critical thinking. The curatorial program will encompass live performances, installations, sound walks, and panel discussions featuring leading thinkers, musicians, and artists who operate within the spectrum of sound and ecology. A significant focus will be given to the ecological dimension of sound as an element capable of creatively transforming and interpreting space, opening up new ways of coexistence.
Derived from Ancient Greek ἔξω, the prefix “exo” signifies a combining form meaning “outside,” “outer,” or “external,” used in the formation of compound words. The condition of “being outside” is not intended strictly as in direct opposition to “the inside,” but rather as an act, a process, a gesture, that leads from the core of anything to its surroundings. Terraforma, is an ecosystem that creates new possible dimensions within existing places and situations. As a natural progression of Terraforma’s original mission to create new spaces, Terraforma Exo will continue to infiltrate and adapt to new territories as a flexible and utopian organism.
PROGRAMM 2024
Saturday, June 15th:
The event will feature various installations and sound performances in the spaces of the Biblioteca al Parco, and both the indoor spaces and the garden of Triennale Milano. On Saturday morning, the Triennale Garden will host an introductory speech and a concert by David Toop. Toop, a musician, philosopher, and curator with a focus on environmental and sound ecology, will use this event to present the reissue of the “Obscure Records” box set, which includes ten historic albums from the 1970s by notable experimental music artists such as John Cage, Brian Eno, and Toop himself. The Teatro dell’Arte at Triennale Milano will feature a sound installation utilizing the Acusmonium Audior, an extraordinary instrument created by Eraldo Bocca, which includes over 80 speakers. The installation will present a curated selection of acousmatic music by Bernard Parmegiani, François Bayle, and Pierre Schaeffer. The atrium of Triennale Milano will showcase a light and sound installation by the collective Tutto Questo Sentire, founded in 2014 by experimental soprano Olivia Salvadori, composer and cellist Sandro Mussida, and video artist Rebecca Salvadori. The lighting design will be by Charlie Hope, and the installation will be activated by live acoustic intervals on the Scalone d’Onore. This installation is curated in collaboration with the Portuguese festival Semibreve. The ‘Modular Organ System’ installation will create a true performance environment within Triennale, featuring a live performance on Saturday by musicians Phillip Sollmann, Konrad Sprenger, and Max Eilbacher. Additionally, the program includes performances by Damsel Elysium, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and experimental sound artist, Kembra Pfahler presenting her live multimedia performance piece in collaboration with CIRCA.ART, and Robert Henke with his live show CBM 8032 AV.
After the live performances at Triennale: Terraforma Exo continues until dawn at Gatto Verde with ojoo, DJ NOBU, and livwutang.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH
Sunday will be entirely dedicated to exploring and interacting with the ecosystem of Parco Sempione. The morning will start with a lecture in the Triennale Garden, followed by a series of sound walks through the park, including a workshop led by Slipmode and the Hyperscapes Research Office. This workshop will explore the park’s invisible soundscapes, a diverse environment where natural elements intertwine with geological layers. In the afternoon, free open-air DJ sets and live performances, in collaboration with Hundebiss Records, will bring new life to the iconic Teatro Continuo di Burri. Terraforma aims to use Burri’s Teatro Continuo as a stage that extends the concept of performance into urban space, offering a free and open Sunday event in line with the festival’s inclusive spirit, curated by the Milanese record label Hundebiss Records. Among the artists performing are Kelman Duran, Nídia & Valentina Magaletti, and Chima Isaaro.
Terraforma Exo. Cultural manifestation for a new ecology of sound
The new site-specific event format by Terraforma
June, 15th: Parco Sempione and Triennale Milano
June, 16th: Teatro Continuo di Burri
Tickets available on DICE
Further information can be found here: www.terraformafestival.com
Threes Productions is a creative agency committed to cultural sustainability that develops and promotes experimental projects in music and art with an ecologically conscious approach. It is a multidisciplinary platform driven by research and innovation, whose activities span from the event production and curation, to the publishing of music and editorial content. www.threesproductions.com
Triennale Milano is a renowned institution with a century-long legacy of promoting radical ideas in design, architecture, and the arts. Situated within Milan’s vibrant urban landscape, Triennale Milano serves as a nexus for creative exploration and cultural exchange. www.triennale.org
Press: Alice Suppa, press.alicesuppa@gmail.com, +393923878192
COLLABORATIONS 2024:
TRIENNALE MILANO is an international institution that brings together the languages of contemporary culture: design, architecture, visual and performing arts. It serves as a space for exchange and dialogue between art and design, creativity and technology, tradition and innovation. Triennale showcases projects by leading Italian and international architects, designers, and artists; it organizes exhibitions, meetings, conferences, and performances; and it offers new perspectives on central themes of current affairs and public debate.
TIMES (The Independent Movement for Electronic Scenes) is a cooperative project that brings together ten European festivals to create original performances combining music and visual arts. In addition to shared artist programming and original project creations, TIMES aims to support, promote, and enhance diversity and sustainability in the music industry. TIMES is a collaboration between: Arty Farty/Nuits sonores (FR), Berlin Atonal (DE), Elevate (AT), Insomnia (NO), Le Guess Who? (NL), Semibreve (PT), Sónar (ES), Terraforma (IT), Unsound (PL), and audiovisual partner Creative Broadcast (RO). The project is a successor to the We are Europe cooperation (2015-2022) and is co-financed by the European Union.
SHAPE+ is a European platform for innovative music and audiovisual art, co-financed by the Creative Europe program. Over the next three years, SHAPE+ will promote emerging talents by connecting them with local communities through collaborative residencies, commissioned works, and unique performances. Artist selection will occur through an open call and curatorial selection, supporting a list of artists each year. For more information, visit shapeplatform.eu.
CIRCA.ART (The Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts) is a cultural platform that promotes contemporary art and culture. Every evening at 20:24, it broadcasts unique artworks on global billboards, creating a dialogue on current themes. Founded in 2020, CIRCA started in London and now operates in various cities worldwide, using media spaces for a purpose beyond advertising. CIRCA funds its program by selling limited edition prints, thus supporting the artistic community and keeping its public initiatives free.
PRINCESS KIRA OF PRUSSIA FOUNDATION
Established in 1952, the foundation supports disadvantaged children and youth in Germany and worldwide, offering them holidays and creative activities at Hohenzollern Castle. The aim is to create a safe environment where they can overcome daily challenges and develop self-confidence. Recently, the foundation has welcomed children refugees from Ukraine, including orphans and children with disabilities, continuing its mission of support and inclusion.
GATTO VERDE
After the live performances at Triennale on Saturday, Terraforma Exo continues until dawn in collaboration with Gatto Verde, a nightlife dimension that comes to life among the factories in the south of Milan. In addition to DJ sets by ojoo, DJ NOBU, and livwutang, the labyrinthine atrium of the spaces on Via Toffetti will feature a visual and sound installation curated by the Italian label Presto!? Records, which in previous events has collaborated with international entities, including the magazine FRANKENSTEIN, the London and Reykjavík-based studio RANRA, and the collective MMXX. Exploring new sounds, having produced over 30 releases by young local and international talents. Among these, Kelman Duran is a Dominican-American artist and producer. Combining elements of reggaeton, dancehall, electronic, and sonic experimentation, Kelman explores themes such as diaspora and identity.
HUNDEBISS RECORDS
Terraforma aims to use the Teatro Continuo di Burri as a stage that extends the notion of a stage into urban space, proposing a free and open Sunday event to the public, in line with the festival’s inclusive spirit and curated by the Milanese record label Hundebiss Records. Since 2008, Hundebiss has been a reference point in Milan and beyond for exploring new sounds, having produced over 30 releases by young local and international talents.
