ALBERTINA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS - TURIN, ITALY
2021-2023

The necessity to preserve, store and transport liquids has vexed mankind since the dawn of early civilization. Modern times presented a plethora of options, but some of them - like the use of PET - have harmful environmental consequences for the ocean, the fauna and flora and for the entire food chain.

With the “Aluminium can…change?” project, the Sehen Foundation encourages students and young generations to seriously reflect upon the environmental impact of consumable goods, their full production cycle and their packaging. The focus is on the aluminium cans and their high percentage of recycling which, together with glass containers are clear winners, in comparison to the other materials used in the handling and storage of liquids. The initiative was taken by the students of the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin, together with the School of Artistic Design for Business and professors from the Polytechnic of Turin. This inter-disciplinary project ranges from the history of aluminium containers to the analysis of aluminium characteristics, through art and design with the aim to discover new shapes and uses with a strong awareness of sustainability and environmental issues.

The project culminated in the publication of a multi-lingual catalogue and an exhibition of student works in June 2023. The project will further continue with a travelling exhibition in other prestigious institutions and cities.

Link to the catalogue: Aluminium Can... Change?
Link to the event poster: Event poster

FLORENCE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS IN TUSCANY, ITALY
2025

In a second phase, the exhibition “Aluminium Can… Change?” was hosted at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts in Tuscany (Italy), where the project was further expanded through new artistic and design interpretations. Students were invited to reflect on the technical and expressive qualities of aluminium, exploring its potential through formal and conceptual experimentation, in search of new shapes, applications and narratives related to environmental sustainability.

The works were presented in an exhibition inaugurated on 7 March 2025 at the Academy, staged in the Sala Ghiberti. This space has a significant historical and symbolic value, as it houses the cast of the famous Gates of Paradise of the Florence Cathedral, created by the Italian sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti around 1452. The exhibition offered a journey through contemporary art, design, and environmental reflection, placing the creativity of the students in dialogue with Florentine artistic tradition.

The project reaffirmed its core objective: raising awareness among younger generations and the broader public on the relationship between manufacturing, materials and sustainability, showcasing how art and design can actively contribute to create a more responsible culture.