World Food Forum: Paradise Bank, a forest-themed art exhibition opens at The Rome Botanical Gardens

Rome –The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, has inaugurated the World Food Forum’s Paradise Bank Art Exhibition at the Rome Botanical Gardens.

Blending art with a powerful environmental message and created by Lucas Memmola, a young Brazilian-Italian artist known for his immersive and experiential installations, the exhibition will run until 7 November 2024, open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday according to the hours of the Botanical Gardens. It offers a thought-provoking journey into the Amazon rainforest, highlighting the challenges of deforestation and the essential role of Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding our planet’s forests.

The exhibition aims to inspire action on pressing environmental challenges through art, particularly focusing on the vital role of forests in agrifood systems. This year's theme draws attention to the Amazon rainforest as a symbol of global forest conservation, emphasizing youth-led solutions and the essential contributions of Indigenous Peoples in protecting these ecosystems.

Speaking at the event, the FAO Director-General emphasized the importance of youth engagement in transforming global agrifood systems. “Since the establishment of the World Food Forum, my vision has always been to engage and empower our youth to achieve the transformation of global agrifood systems,” he said. He also noted the significance of the exhibition in promoting this vision: “Culture is a powerful catalyst that has the ability to inspire the younger generation and light up their passion to work together for a better and more sustainable future.”

Paradise Bank, designed exclusively for the World Food Forum in collaboration with youth led art association Tramandars, transforms a greenhouse space within the Botanical Gardens into an interactive vault. The vault serves as a metaphorical space, where visitors can explore the delicate balance between the demand for forest products in agrifood value chains and the urgent need to preserve forests and the communities within them. The installation offers a multifaceted experience, with two rooms that encourage reflection on the role of Indigenous Peoples in creating better agrifood systems.

Memmola’s unique approach to art, which he describes as similar to that of an alchemist, blends natural elements to create visual metaphors that reflect the state of the human soul. His work encourages visitors to reflect on the intricate relationships between nature and humanity, a theme central to the WFF’s mission of transforming agrifood systems through the combined power of youth, culture, and innovation.

The event was also attended by Carla Barroso Carneiro, Brazilian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO. 

About the World Food Forum

The World Food Forum (WFF), established by the FAO Director-General in 2021, serves as a youth-led movement and network aimed at empowering young people to play an active role in transforming agrifood systems. It comprises the WFF Global Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, and the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. These three interlinked fora advance bold and actionable solutions to catalyze the transformation of agrifood systems in light of current challenges and crises. The WFF will host its annual flagship event from 14 to 18 October 2024 at FAO headquarters, showcasing the power of culture, science, and innovation to build a more sustainable future.

The exhibition was created by collaborating with key organizations, namely EIT Food, a European initiative focused on fostering innovation and collaboration in the agrifood sector, with a significant focus on empowering youth in agrifood systems. With the support and curation of Tramandars Art Association, a platform that connects artists and communities to promote art and culture while addressing social and environmental issues, the exhibition underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling the climate and environmental crises.

The Paradise Bank exhibition will be open to the public until 7 November 2024 at the Rome Botanical Gardens, offering a space for reflection, dialogue, and inspiration.