EARTH Foundation presents Peccioli: Racconti di una stagione , the exhibition showcasing photographic projects resulting from a residency program in the municipality of Peccioli (Pisa). The program involved photographers Karim El Maktafi (1992, Desenzano del Garda, Brescia), Camilla Ferrari (1992, Milan), Sara Scanderebech (1985, Nardò, Lecce), and Riccardo Svelto (1989, Bagno a Ripoli, Florence). After an initial summer presentation in the Tuscan village, the photographic exhibition will arrive in Verona at the spaces of EARTH Foundation from March 27 to September 21, 2025.
Curated by Giangavino Pazzola, curator at CAMERA – Italian Center for Photography in Turin, in collaboration with Giulia Adami, Peccioli: Racconti di una stagione is a far-reaching project launched in July 2023 in partnership with the Municipality of Peccioli (Pisa), with the support of Fondazione Peccioliper and Belvedere Spa.
The project first unfolded through four artist residencies involving photographers Karim El Maktafi, Camilla Ferrari, Sara Scanderebech, and Riccardo Svelto. Each of them captured the territory and community of Peccioli through a series of photographs, promoting the values of sustainability, responsibility, and sharing—principles that not only define one of the most innovative models of territorial development but also align with the vision of EARTH Foundation.
Following this immersive experience of observation and production dedicated to the Tuscan town—winner of Rai 3’s “Il Borgo dei Borghi 2024” contest—a selection of images was curated to reflect the personal vision and research experience of the four photographers. More than fifty photographs were exhibited in June 2024 at the former Peccioli car market, revealing the social, structural, and cultural dynamics that make the village a place devoted to care and territorial regeneration. These works have also been published in a volume by Edizioni EARTH.
The works are now being presented again at EARTH Foundation’s exhibition space in a renewed setup, with a special surprise for visitors: a two-day workshop (Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, 2025, participation fee required) led by Camilla Ferrari. Titled THE HIDDEN TREASURE, the workshop delves into the interpretation of the project and explores contemporary photographic production techniques.
The Works
The Building Mountains series by Karim El Maktafi explores the management dynamics of the waste disposal and treatment plant of Belvedere Spa, an icon of the region. By capturing people, machinery, and landscapes, the artist conveys the essence of a transforming environment, dominated by artificial hills of sand and clay produced by the company as part of an innovative practice that serves as a national model.
With the installation A Constellation on Earth, Camilla Ferrari draws inspiration from the discovery of an asteroid named “331011 Peccioli” by researchers at the Libbiano Astronomical Observatory. She analyzes the landscape surrounding the village and its hamlets, creating a narrative flow where references, symbols, and metaphors connect the earthly reality to the infinity of the cosmos.
Sara Scanderebech’s photographic work constructs a geography of the landfill, seen as a space where nature and technology intersect. In Landfill, black pipes, treads, machinery details, and distant industrial structures blend with the fauna gradually reclaiming the environment, from wild plants to insects and small animals.
Riccardo Svelto, with Presenze, focuses on the river that flows through the village as a central space for the activities and personal experiences of generations of young people who have lived in Peccioli. A point of reference and an integral part of the landscape, the river becomes both a personal and collective stage for thousands of untold stories, from first loves to the excitement of newfound independence.
Exhibition Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Exhibition Admission: €5
Spontaneous Guided Tour: €8
FREE ENTRY for people with disabilities and one accompanying person, as well as children up to 10 years old.
CURRENT PROMOTIONS FOR EXHIBITION ENTRY:
Fixed-time guided tours: €5 + €5 admission fee
