Rifugio 25
book launch and exhibition
17-19/04/2026
17/04 13:00-16:00 – Arancini Workshop // 17:00-22:00 – Vernissage
18-19/04 13:00-18:00 – open to view
Before the existence of photography, a lot of etchings have been made of the Etna. What is striking is that many of those are not realistic but a rather naive representation of the volcano. These scientists (or artists) who drew them often travelled far (the Netherlands, England, Germany…) to create an image to explain this amazing natural phenomenon, while many weren’t present at the moment of an eruption and had to build it up by their imagination and through stories.
Etna Art & Research Center invited 22 contemporary artists to create an etch inspired by these images and in dialogue with their own artistic practices.
On the Etna there are 24 rifugi always accessible for any kind of passerby: hikers, biker tourists, shepherds… ‘Rifugio 25’ becomes a shelter for these newly created artworks and any kind of visitor, too.
Participating artists:
Alberto Mazzara
Anna Rubbens
Anna Van der Ploeg
Birde Vanheerswynghels
Daniel Fonatti
Elie Laucher
Elisa Raciti
Gustave Demoen
Krista De Mulder
Liesbeth Van Heuverswijn
Malgorzata Maria Olchowska
Marnix Everaert
Maya Strobbe
Nathan De Corte
Nerina Triolo
Nikolaas Demoen
Rachele Turrisi
Sam Zanardo
Shervin/e Sheikh Rezaei
Simon Verougstraete
Tom De Clippel
Vladimir Ivaneanu
Curated by Etna Art Research Center in collaboration with VROOM
Graphic design by Elisa Raciti
Publication published by Balloon Project
Scenography Janes Zeghers
Arancini workshop Ninokooks
Many etches printed in Print Studio 868
With the support of Anna Rubbens & Vladimir Ivaneanu
The exhibition and publication were made possible with the support of the culture department of Anderlecht / Cultuur 1070 Anderlecht.
______
Arancini Workshop 17/04 13:00-16:00
This sculptural cooking workshop with Ninokooks ties in with the volcanic theme of the exhibition. We will make typical Sicilian arancini: stuffed fried rice balls. Using the right technique, we will sculpt them into pointed snacks. In Catania, they owe this shape to neighboring Mount Etna. Afterwards, we will let our imagination run wild, and the arancini can take on other shapes. Eventually, we will feel the presence of Mount Etna in the steamy heat of the frying oil.
Register for the workshop here!