Invisible Ecologies: 60 Years of the Arno Told Through a Digital

Invisible Ecologies: 60 Years of the Arno Told Through a Digital Installation

An audiovisual installation transforms hydrological and weather data into dynamic images and sounds to narrate the Arno river’s recent history, from historic floods to contemporary water crises.

Created by visual artist Tommaso Cherubini, the work will be presented at the Bright Festival in Florence from 17 to 19 April 2026. The project bridges scientific information and sensory language to offer a non-anthropocentric perspective on the river.

• When: 17–19 April 2026
• Where: Bright Festival venues (Stazione Leopolda, Innovation Center, The Social Hub) — Florence
• Artist: Tommaso Cherubini
• Production and support: Forma Edizioni, with contributions from Publiacqua and data supplied by the regional hydrological service; supported by the Ministry of Culture and SIAE’s “Per Chi Crea” programme

The project began with the collection and processing of decades-long measurements — river discharge, temperature, sediment levels and weather models. These datasets were translated through touch design and generative AI into visuals and soundscapes that evolve with the river’s cycles.

Visuals range from abstract textures to semi-realistic renderings: flood peaks are represented by dramatic color shifts (from pale yellow to deep red) to make events like the 1966 flood immediately perceptible, while subtler changes appear through layered textures and evolving sound design that reveal the river’s tensions and transitions.

The installation aims to cultivate slower attention and ecological empathy, inviting visitors to see the Arno as a living system rather than a purely instrumental resource.

Practical note: the work is part of the Bright Festival programme. Check the festival schedule for opening times and access rules before visiting. The installation is recommended for audiences interested in digital art, ecology and data-driven storytelling.