The cathedrals of energy

The exhibition curated by photographer Francesco Radino in Milan describes the energy buildings and places all over Italy, from the beginning of the last century.

The cathedrals of energy, Francesco Radino, AEM Historical Archives, 2016
With more than a hundred images the exhibition “The cathedrals of energy. Architecture, industry and landscape in the images by Francesco Radino and the Aem Historical Archives” describes the buildings, places and architectures of Aem, the energy company all dedicated to the production of energy in Italy from North to South. 

 

The exhibition is devised and promoted by the Aem Foundation – A2A Group, and is curated by Francesco Radino and Fabrizio Trisoglio. It is laid out in two closely connected sections that highlight two views, two periods, and recall the history of the “energy cathedrals” from the early twentieth century until today.

Antonio Paoletti, Aem Milan, 13 September 1938. Historic photographic archive, Fondazione Aem
Top: Francesco Radino, Silla 2 power plant, Milan, 2016. Above: Antonio Paoletti, Aem Milan, 13 September 1938. Historic photographic archive, Fondazione Aem
Overall, the group of images shows a variety of buildings that are mostly characterized by historical or modern elements. For example, the hydroelectric plant of Raosco, designed by Piero Portaluppi, that reminds the viewer of a medieval castle, the power plants from Grosotto and Fraele, of a Neo-renaissance and a Neo-romantic kind. Also, we can find an obvious hint at the Gothic style in the thermal power plant of Monfalcone, with its wide naves, that brings up the theme of “cathedrals” from the title of the exhibition. More modern, geometrical – linked to an alternation between full and empty volumes – examples are the south transmission substation of Milan and the hydroelectric plant of Calusia in Calabria, designed by Giovanni Muzio. 
Adolfo Ferrari, Dyke Aem, San Giacomo, Valtellina, 7 August 1970. Historic archive, Fondazione Aem, Milan
Adolfo Ferrari, Dyke Aem, San Giacomo, Valtellina, 7 August 1970. Historic archive, Fondazione Aem, Milan
Francesco Radino in 2016, illustrates the iconic buildings of Aem, the new examples of the architecture of A2A Group, tracing the long path – testimony of contemporaneity – that goes from the power plants of Valtellina to Friuli and from the waste-to-energy plants of Lombardy to the splendid reservoirs of Calabria.
Gianni Moreschi, power plant Aem, Roasco, designed by Piero Portaluppi, Valtellina, 1931. Historic photographic archive, Fondazione Aem Milan
Gianni Moreschi, power plant Aem, Roasco, designed by Piero Portaluppi, Valtellina, 1931. Historic photographic archive, Fondazione Aem Milan

until 27 January 2017
The cathedrals of energy
curated by Francesco Radino and Fabrizio Trisoglio
Casa dell’Energia e dell’Ambiente
piazza Po 3, Milan, Italy

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