On October 12th, at 10:00 AM, the Castromediano Museum will host a talk with artist Fabrizio Plessi on the occasion of the Giornata del Contemporaneo (Day of Contemporary Art). This event is part of a two-day celebration dedicated to the artist, beginning on October 11th at 7:00 PM with the presentation of the ALLBA project at the Church of San Francesco della Scarpa in Lecce.

ALLBA is an innovative initiative being developed in the heart of Salento, aiming to enhance the Puglia region through a museum park dedicated to art and sustainability. The acronym ALLBA encompasses five fundamental terms: Apulia, which connects the project to the geographical and cultural context of the region; Lab, which emphasizes the laboratory and creative aspect; Land, which highlights the importance of the Puglian landscape; Bio, indicating a commitment to sustainability; and Art, representing the artistic direction of the project.

Conceived and promoted by Mario D’Aquino, with artistic direction by Francesco Maggiore and administrative direction by Elena Maiorano, ALLBA seeks to recover and enhance the history, tradition, and culture of Puglia through art and sustainable infrastructures. The park is being established in an agricultural area of Ruffano, adjacent to the historic Masseria Muto and the path of the ancient Via Misteriosa, and will feature three site-specific artistic installations created by renowned artist Fabrizio Plessi. These works aim to evoke traditional rural constructions of Puglia, such as trulli, using natural and eco-sustainable materials.

The project is not limited to the creation of an artistic park; it aspires to become a laboratory for cultural and artistic production, hosting events, concerts, exhibitions, and artist residencies. In addition to the artworks, efforts will be made to promote the rehabilitation of natural habitats and the creation of new ecosystems, fostering a harmonious interaction between art, nature, and community. Supported by the "Radici e Ali" funding from the Puglia Region, ALLBA aims to recreate a dialogue between contemporary culture and the historical and artistic heritage of Salento, making this initiative a cultural and tourism magnet for the territory.

During the talk at the Castromediano Museum, Brizia Minerva, art historian of the museum, and Lorenzo Madaro, professor of Contemporary Art History at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, will lead a reflection on Plessi's history and poetics, helping to enhance the importance of the artist's work within the context of contemporary art.