ALGAE UNVEILED
ARTISTIC DESIGN MADE IN BALTICS 08.04.2025 - 13.04.2025
ALGAE UNVEILED
AN ARTISTIC JOURNEY THROUGH ALGAE, DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY
AT MILAND DESIGN WEEK 2025
On the occasion of Fuorisalone 2025, The Baltic Vibe presents Algae Unveiled, an exhibition hosted at the Vetra Building, in the heart of the Vetra Design District. The district, newly introduced in this edition of Fuorisalone, is a creative hub for emerging designers, architects, and artists with a focus on sustainability and innovation. The Baltic Vibe is a project dedicated to promoting design and art from the Baltic States, showcasing the region's authenticity and cultural richness through exhibitions and international collaborations.
Originally built in the early 1960s as Milan’s municipal tax office, the Vetra Building underwent a major redevelopment between 2018 and 2021, led by Il Prisma studio. This transformation turned it into a model of modern and sustainable architecture, featuring geothermal energy systems and eco-efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, making it an emblem of sustainable urban regeneration.
Within this innovative and eco-conscious setting, Algae Unveiled emerges as an exhibition that blends art, science, and environmental responsibility. Visitors are invited to explore the human-nature relationship, discovering the potential of algae as a key resource for sustainable design.
Through works by Baltic artists and immersive installations, Algae Unveiled raises awareness of the dual nature of algae—as both a sustainable material and an environmental challenge. This exhibition integrates art, nature, and scientific research, unveiling algae’s potential in developing new materials and sustainable solutions.
THE INSTALLATION "BLACK ALGAE"
One of the highlights of Algae Unveiled is "Black Algae", an outdoor installation by Latvian artist Valentinaki, in collaboration with Lorenzo Bucciarelli, a landscape architect and expert in marine ecosystem conservation. With a background in Environmental Architecture and Landscape Design from Politecnico di Milano, Bucciarelli specializes in integrating nature-based solutions into sustainable projects.
The installation explores the phenomenon of toxic algae blooms in the Baltic Sea and the impact of marine pollution. Using a striking contrast of green and black, the artwork symbolizes the fragile balance of aquatic ecosystems, urging reflection on human-induced environmental changes.
THE ARTISTS ON DISPLAY
The exhibition features eight Baltic artists, each offering a unique interpretation of algae through different artistic techniques and materials:
AN EXHIBITION BETWEEN ART, DESIGN, AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Beyond celebrating nature-inspired art, Algae Unveiled fosters dialogue between different disciplines, featuring collaborations with:
One Ocean Foundation – A non-profit organization that develops scientific projects to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, focusing on the conservation and restoration of Posidonia oceanica, a Mediterranean seagrass crucial for oxygen production, coastline protection, and CO₂ absorption.
AlgaEurope – The international conference on algae’s role in biotechnology, sustainability, and innovation, taking place this year in Riga, Latvia.
AlgaePro Banos – A European project exploring sustainable algae applications, from biomaterials to biofuels and industrial innovations.
Through multimedia content and educational materials, visitors will gain insights into algae’s environmental and technological potential.
Algae Unveiled is more than just an exhibition—it’s an experience that redefines our connection with the marine environment through the power of art. A must-see opportunity to explore algae’s potential as a source of inspiration for the future of design and sustainability.
Algae Unveiled
Baltic art & design
April 8 - 13, 2025
Opening (by invitation only): April 8, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Public opening hours: April 9-11, 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM; April 12-13, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Vetra Building, Via Fernanda Wittgens 2, Milan (Vetra Design District)
