“Paradise Bank Art Exhibit Debuts at Rome Botanical Gardens!” | (Paradise Bank, a forest-themed art exhibition opens at The Rome Botanical Gardens)

Rome –The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, has inaugurated the World Food Forum’s Paradise Bank Art Exhibition at the Rome Botanical Gardens.

Blending art with a powerful environmental message and created by Lucas Memmola, a young Brazilian-Italian artist known for his immersive and experiential installations, the exhibition will run until 7 November 2024, open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday according to the hours of the Botanical Gardens. It offers a thought-provoking journey into the Amazon rainforest, highlighting the challenges of deforestation and the essential role of Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding our planet’s forests.

The exhibition aims to inspire action on pressing environmental challenges through art, particularly focusing on the vital role of forests in agrifood systems. This year’s theme draws attention to the Amazon rainforest as a symbol of global forest conservation, emphasizing youth-led solutions and the essential contributions of Indigenous Peoples in protecting these ecosystems.

Speaking at the event, the FAO Director-General emphasized the importance of youth engagement in transforming global agrifood systems. “Since the establishment of the World Food Forum, my vision has always been to engage and empower our youth to achieve the transformation of global agrifood systems,” he said. He also noted the significance of the exhibition in promoting this vision: “Culture is a powerful catalyst that has the ability to inspire the younger generation and light up their passion to work together for a better and more sustainable future.”

Paradise Bank, designed exclusively for the World Food Forum in collaboration with youth led art association Tramandars, transforms a greenhouse space within the Botanical Gardens into an interactive vault. The vault serves as a metaphorical space, where visitors can explore the delicate balance between the demand for forest products in agrifood value chains and the urgent need to preserve forests and the communities within them. The installation offers a multifaceted experience, with two rooms that encourage reflection on the role of Indigenous Peoples in creating better agrifood systems.

Memmola’s unique approach to art, which he describes as similar to that of an alchemist, blends natural elements to create visual metaphors that reflect the state of the human soul. His work encourages visitors to reflect on the intricate relationships between nature and humanity, a theme central to the WFF’s mission of transforming agrifood systems through the combined power of youth, culture, and innovation.

The event was also attended by Carla Barroso Carneiro, Brazilian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO. 

About the World Food Forum

The World Food Forum (WFF), established by the FAO Director-General in 2021, serves as a youth-led movement and network aimed at empowering young people to play an active role in transforming agrifood systems. It comprises the WFF Global Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, and the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. These three interlinked fora advance bold and actionable solutions to catalyze the transformation of agrifood systems in light of current challenges and crises. The WFF will host its annual flagship event from 14 to 18 October 2024 at FAO headquarters, showcasing the power of culture, science, and innovation to build a more sustainable future.

The exhibition was created by collaborating with key organizations, namely EIT Food, a European initiative focused on fostering innovation and collaboration in the agrifood sector, with a significant focus on empowering youth in agrifood systems. With the support and curation of Tramandars Art Association, a platform that connects artists and communities to promote art and culture while addressing social and environmental issues, the exhibition underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling the climate and environmental crises.

The Paradise Bank exhibition will be open to the public until 7 November 2024 at the Rome Botanical Gardens, offering a space for reflection, dialogue, and inspiration.

Rome – The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, has opened the World Food Forum’s Paradise Bank Art Exhibition at the Rome Botanical Gardens.

This exhibition combines art with an important environmental message and was created by Lucas Memmola, a young Brazilian-Italian artist known for his engaging installations. It will be available to the public until November 7, 2024, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday during the Botanical Gardens’ hours. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the Amazon rainforest, addressing issues like deforestation and the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting the planet’s forests.

The exhibition aims to motivate people to take action on urgent environmental issues, particularly concerning the importance of forests in food systems. This year’s theme highlights the Amazon rainforest as a crucial symbol for global forest conservation, focusing on solutions led by young people and the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to protecting these ecosystems.

During the event, the FAO Director-General stressed the need for youth involvement in improving global food systems. He said, “Since the start of the World Food Forum, my goal has always been to engage and empower our youth to transform global food systems.” He also underlined the value of the exhibition in promoting this idea, stating, “Culture is a powerful tool that can inspire young people and encourage them to work together for a better and more sustainable future.”

Paradise Bank, created for the World Food Forum in partnership with the youth-led art association Tramandars, turns a greenhouse in the Botanical Gardens into an interactive vault. This vault symbolizes the need to balance the demand for forest products with the necessity of protecting forests and their communities. The installation provides a comprehensive experience, featuring two rooms that invite visitors to consider the role of Indigenous Peoples in creating better food systems.

Memmola describes his artistic style as similar to that of an alchemist, merging natural elements to create visual representations of human emotions. His work encourages viewers to think about the connections between nature and humanity, a central theme of the WFF’s goal to transform food systems through the power of youth, culture, and innovation.

The event was also attended by Carla Barroso Carneiro, the Brazilian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the FAO.

About the World Food Forum

The World Food Forum (WFF), founded by the FAO Director-General in 2021, is a youth-led initiative aimed at empowering young people to take an active role in changing food systems. It includes the WFF Global Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, and the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. These three connected forums work together to create bold solutions for transforming food systems in response to current challenges. The WFF will hold its main event from October 14 to October 18, 2024, at FAO headquarters, showcasing the role of culture, science, and innovation in building a sustainable future.

The exhibition was developed in partnership with key organizations, including EIT Food, a European initiative that supports innovation and collaboration in the food sector, especially for empowering youth. With support and curation from the Tramandars Art Association, which connects artists and communities to address social and environmental issues, the exhibition highlights the importance of working together to tackle climate and environmental challenges.

The Paradise Bank exhibition will remain open to the public until November 7, 2024, at the Rome Botanical Gardens, providing a space for reflection, conversation, and inspiration.