FOTO/INDUSTRIA 2025

EVENTS

Mikael Olsson – Photography Voyeurism and Space

Saturday 08 November 2025
8 PM
SALABORSA – PIAZZA DEL NETTUNO, 3

ARTIST TALK

Francesco Zanot, Artistic Director of Foto/Industria, introduces Swedish artist Mikael Olsson, who will present his photographic work with a particular focus on its relationship with architecture and cinema.

The event includes a screening of the short film Kosta 3:30 (Sweden, 2006, 19', distributed by Filmform), created in collaboration with filmmaker Andreas Roth and featuring an original soundtrack by Alva Noto, one of the most renowned sound artists on the international scene. The film is dedicated to the houses designed by celebrated architect Bruno Mathsson — the subject of Olsson’s exhibition for Foto/Industria — and will be discussed by the two filmmakers and Francesco Zanot in a conversation following the screening.

FREE ADMISSION BY RESERVATION

A main theme in Mikeal Olsson’s (born in Lerum, Sweden in 1969) works is the reenactment of history and the presence of the past in current times. This was first outlined in Södrakull Frösakull (Steidl, 2011), and then further developed in on | auf (Steidl, 2020). In his “semi-autobiographical work” Olsson Mikael (Art and Theory, 2022), he examined the relationship between perception and representation through the selfie genre. Olsson is now working with a project on Swedish architect Sigurd Lewerentz, which so far has been presented at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2018 and the book LWRNTZ [work in progress] (Andersson Örn, 2022).

Andreas Roth is a Swedish artist and curator who has held key positions at the Public Art Agency Sweden and the City of Gothenburg, where he developed and implemented participatory approaches to art in urban contexts. He is currently the Art Curator for the City of Mölndal, where he is responsible for the public art program, cultural policy, and the municipal art collection. In addition to his institutional work, Roth has founded and directed several gallery initiatives and art platforms dedicated to contemporary art. He has taught at art academies and contributed editorially to art publications. He has also collaborated with designer Mats Theselius on projects ranging from bespoke retail interiors to furniture design.

BOOK YOUR ENTRANCE

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Mast

MAST stands for MANIFATTURA di ARTI, SPERIMENTAZIONE e TECNOLOGIA (ARTS, EXPERIENCE and TECHNOLOGY).
MANIFATTURA: the industrial identity of the district
ARTI: the highest forms of creative expression
SPERIMENTAZIONE:the practice at the heart of innovation
TECNOLOGIA: the application of techniques that can improve human life

The building

The project was designed by STUDIO LABICS in ROME, which won an invited competition organized by G.D (COESIA group) in 2005, among the most renowned young Italian architecture firms. Two major pedestrian ramps, which extend from the core of the building to the main access, symbolize the close relationship between the Coesia industrial complex and the surrounding city, creating a metaphorical bridge between COESIA, the immediate city surroundings and the adjacent park. The building consists of two sections that stand next to each other, with large windows, glass features, and frames in steel. The original architectural design extends throughout the spaces occupied by the various services. A reflecting pool and landscaped garden complete the design, showing how the transformation of a former industrial space can revive an area on the outskirts, with company and community activities that make it a gathering place.

FONDAZIONE MAST 2013 – 2023
Making work a culture and culture a work

ANTEPRIMA, 2013
RA DI MARTINO
MAST.

An itinerary of images and sounds through the interior and exterior spaces of the MAST, this site specific video was realized by the artist Ra di Martino on the occasion of the opening.

director: Ra di Martino
performer viola da gamba: Rosa Helena Ippolito
cinematography: Alessandro Chiodo, Marco Martelli
sound: Enrico Ascoli
assistant director: Marcella Libonati

WHERE NEW INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND INDUSTRIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OFFER A CONTEXT FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ON INNOVATION AND THE WORLD OF WORK

The Gallery is a space where industry and the world of work are described along a journey punctuated by technological exhibits, videoart installations and photographic images.

The MAST Innovation Gallery is an area for experiential learning focused on technology and innovation. Starting from some of Coesia Group’s technical solutions, the hands-on, multimedia itinerary offers visitors the opportunity to experiment and develop new knowledge.

The MAST Photo Gallery is an exhibition space that hosts temporary shows of photography on industry and work. The exhibition programme presents thematic and monographic projects taken from the MAST Collection, which includes over 5000 works, or on loan from other archives, international institutions and private collections. Each exhibition is accompanied by a programme of talks, encounters with authors and other public figures of the world of photography, films and videos, workshops for children.

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WHERE ONGOING TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES OFFER COESIA EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUOUS GROWTH

At the Academy, the MAST Foundation proposes a variety of educational activities on the themes of technology and innovation, addressed to young people, local community - schools and companies – and to the collaborators of Coesia Group, in partnership with public institutions and other organisations.

The Academy occupies an entire wing of the MAST building comprising 8 classrooms of various dimensions, equipped with advanced technological systems.

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Progetto Expeditions Progetto ENTER/PRISE Summer School Smart Camp

WHERE CONFERENCES, SCREENINGS AND ENCOUNTERS WITH PROMINENT FIGURES OF THE WORLD OF CULTURE CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVITY

The Auditorium seats 400 guests and hosts programmes of cultural events promoted by the Foundation or in collaboration with other institutions, conferences, meetings, Talks, lectures, screenings and concerts, generally related to the themes of the shows.

The acoustics was specifically designed so as to be adjustable according to the type of event. State of the art technological solutions are available for the most diverse occasions.

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WHERE A WARM ATMOSPHERE AND CULINARY EXPERIMENTATION CREATE A MEETING POINT FOR CULTURE, ART AND TECHNOLOGY

The Cafeteria is a convivial space available for guests of the Coesia Group, participants in Academy programs and visitors of the Gallery attending the various events.

This space, with a light and warm atmosphere, allows for social interaction. Three big bookcases dedicated to photography books are available for consultation.

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WHERE CHILDREN TAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS IN SOCIAL LEARNING AND BEGIN TO EXPRESS THEIR IMAGINATION

The MAST Nursery School is an educational centre offering an innovative, high quality cultural experience. Its pedagogical project is focused on experiential learning in relationship-driven environments.

The Nursery, which is open both to the children of COESIA employees and the local community, accepts children aged 3 to 36 months, divided into three classrooms. The School hosts two classrooms: 3/4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. 3/4-year-olds and 5-year-olds.

The MAST Nursery School works in partnership with Reggio Children, Cadiai Cooperative and Giannino Stoppani Cooperative.

INNOVATION AT THE NURSERY SCHOOL

The MAST Nursery School puts research and experimentation with innovative content and processes at the centre of its educational programme, by focusing on a multiplicity of cultural languages offered to the children:

The sense of beauty
The architecture and furnishings of the Nursery School, as well as the materials used in the children’s activities, are inspired by beauty as a cultural and relational element.

Books
Picture books are a crucial educational tool for fostering children’s imagination.

Play
Toys enrich children’s perceptive experiences. These objects can change their function and identity and convey new possibilities, ideas and emotions, turning into learning tools.

English Language
A bridge for creative ways of communicating, English language allows children to connect and play together by learning new words and sounds.

Ateliers
Ateliers are places where children explore, discover and experiment. The MAST Nursery School offers different ateliers such as: atelier of colour, of sound, of nature and vegetable garden.

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WHERE THE PRINCIPLES OF MODERN NUTRITION BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTIVE AWARENESS

The Company Restaurant and the MAST.Wellness were designed as part of a unified project that integrates correct nutrition and physical activity. One of the driving values that inspire the project is the promotion of an idea of health connected to awareness, information and food culture in order to improve the quality of life.

The Company Restaurant for Coesia collaborators doesn’t simply offer meals, but it provides a place where the ingredients and their transformation into recipes respect the most recent dietary guidelines and are consistent with quality assurance indicators established by the Gruber Centre nutritionists who collaborate with MAST.

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WHERE INNOVATIVE FITNESS TECHNOLOGY MESHES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES

The Wellness Center is dedicated to Coesia Group employees and is supplied and managed by Technogym, world leader in fitness equipment. It offers a variety of services based on a model of integrated and holistic well-being.

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