SCART at the Salone degli Incanti: repurposing waste through art and design

The exhibition SCART – The beautiful and useful side of waste concluded at the Salone degli Incanti in Trieste with a strong public response: more than 30,000 visitors in roughly two months. The show highlighted how discarded materials can be transformed into contemporary visual language that speaks to diverse audiences.

• Attendance: over 30,000 visitors in two months.
• Works on display: 28 garments made entirely from waste materials.
• Special pieces: 6 "Super Robots" built from production waste by Automobili Lamborghini.
• Side programme: masterclasses, talks and workshops for schools and families; student works from Liceo Nordio were part of the route during the weekend of April 24–26.

Organised by the Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Municipality of Trieste, Gruppo Hera, AcegasApsAmga and Automobili Lamborghini, and curated by Maurizio Giani, the exhibition combined aesthetic quality with an environmental message, using reuse as a means to communicate circular economy principles.

Notable activities included a concept art and live drawing masterclass and educational workshops that actively engaged local schools, with over 60 students taking part in training sessions. One of the highlight objects was a colourful cape made from industrial waste, showcased at a major national event.

Visitor note: the Trieste edition demonstrates the potential of art exhibitions to raise awareness on sustainability; follow-up events or touring dates may be announced for those interested in sustainable art and creative reuse.