Exhibition: A garden in the network
As Italy’s largest gas supplier, Snam’s network on the territory is capillary and extends from the Alps to the southern province of Sicily. On the green hills of Valdarno, right on the lands adjoining the plant that allows to keep the pressure of the gas constant, Snam joined forces with social cooperative Betadue to go beyond its standard service and pioneering a sustainable project called “A Garden in the Network”.
The project employs disadvantaged and disabled people that, thanks to their work, produce 2000 meals which are given to the nearby communities and Snam together with TWBA Rome contacted Machas to curate a photographic show to document the people that give life to the “Garden in the network”
The brief required an open, honest look at its subjects and Machas commissioned The Guardian photographer Christian Sinibaldi that thanks to his candid shot, was perfect of the assignment. Christian travelled to Tuscany and visit the people and the territory, spend with them their work day, from morning to evening.
“It was a great project and an incredible occasion to meet the local social workers, farmers and entrepreneurs. I had the chance to see first hand how these people have created a very healthy way of engaging and giving something back to their communities,” says Christian. “I will never forget the face of a woman at the Casa Pinocchio mental health institute who looked into my eyes and graciously thanked me for paying them a visit”.
Christian’s candid look on the faces and hands of the people at work tells the story of people still connected to their territory, of social integration and shared values.
Machas worked closely together with the photographer and Snam to curate the touring show which started in Milan, in the picturesque setting of Vine of Leonardo, carried on at Milan EXPO and ended on the 23rd of September in Terranuova Bracciolini, when renowned TV chef Simone Rugiati prepared a full meal using only the products from Betadue.
To see the photos
