FROM 15 TO 20 OCTOBER, IT TOOK PLACE AT VILLA TORLONIA, IN ROME. “TECHNOTOWN”AN INNOVATIVE HUB DEDICATED TO CREATIVE SCIENCE AND THE EXPLORATION OF THE ARTISTIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF YOUNG PEOPLE. THE EVENT OFFERS BOYS AND GIRLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN A FASCINATING WORLD OF RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTATION AND SHARING
Rome, Villa Torlonia: Technotown, a location full of history and charm
Before getting into the heart of the events, it is appropriate to focus on the magnificent location that hosted Technotown. Villa Torloniaone of the most enchanting historical parks in Rome, is an authentic treasure chest of natural and architectural riches, surrounded by greenery and surrounded by homes of great historical value.
Built at the beginning of the 19th century, the villa saw its destiny transform, later becoming the official residence of Benito Mussolini and witness to important political and cultural events.
Its gardens, characterized by lush vegetation and fascinating fountains, represent a haven of tranquility in the heart of the capital. Among the buildings that dot the estate, the Noble Casinowith its elegant decorated rooms and frescoes that tell stories of a bygone and evocative era Casina delle Civettea masterpiece of architecture with an eclectic style, characterized by the combination of elements ofArt Nouveau (in Italy also known as “stile Liberty”) and medieval and Gothic influences, known for its polychrome stained glass windows and fairy-tale symbols that adorn its facades.
Villa Torlonia it is not only a place of great beauty, but also an important cultural center that it hosts museumstemporary exhibitions and artistic events. In this scenario, Technotown fits in as a point of reference for innovation and creativity. But let’s see what this event offers.
Design floreale
One of the most fascinating initiatives of Technotown was the floral design workshopan immersive experience that allowed participants to explore the wonderful world of plants and flowers through artistic and creative lenses. In this stimulating environment, young people learned not only the techniques of conservation and valorization of floral species, but also the fundamental principles that united botany and aesthetics.
The workshop provided the children with the opportunity to go into detail the unique characteristics of each plant, examining aspects such as shapes, colors, scents and textures. They then learned to choose and combine flowers and leaves, understanding the symbolic meaning of different species and how they could communicate emotions and moods.
During the journey, the participants were guided by industry experts, who shared precious artistic techniques, from the art of the bouquet to the creation of floral installations.
Furthermore, the workshop encouraged participants to reflect on the importance of environmental sustainability. Through the use of local plants and ecological cultivation techniques, the children learned how art could contribute to preserving the environment and promoting a respectful relationship with nature.
Stamp 3D
Technology has played a central role in many activities, particularly in the laboratory print in 3D. In this dynamic and stimulating context, young people learned the fundamentals of three-dimensional design, starting from the conception and sketching of their own creations and the use of 3D modeling software.
This design phase stimulated their imagination and problem-solving abilityallowing you to face creative and technical challenges.
Once the digital models were complete, participants moved on to the hands-on phase, where they used 3D printers to bring their creations to life. Here, they learned to select the most appropriate materials, such as biodegradable plastics and innovative filaments, such as l‘PLA (polylactic acid) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).
This hands-on experience not only provided technical skills, but also encouraged an innovative mindset, where failure was seen as an opportunity for learning and growth.
The possibility of “build” physically one’s ideas was a key aspect of this workshop.
The kids were able to see their creative visions materialize, moving from the virtual world to the real one. This process not only fostered their creativity, but also a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. Each printed object represented not only a tangible result, but also the fruit of a learning journey that encouraged exploration and innovation.
A laboratory of sustainability and environmental responsibility
Furthermore, the 3D printing laboratory has set itself from a perspective of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Participants were made aware of the importance of reducing waste and using eco-friendly materials, discovering how technology could integrate positively into our daily lives. Through discussions and hands-on activities, they learned how design and innovation could contribute to a more sustainable future.
Photograph
The photography workshop represented an immersive experience, in which the children were confronted with the magic of the image and the evocative power of photography. In a stimulating and creative environment, they had the opportunity to explore the fundamental techniques for capturing portraits in the studio, learning to manage light and shadow to create unique and engaging atmospheres.
Through the analysis of the shots and proportions, the participants delved into the composition of the image, understanding how the arrangement of the elements could influence the visual narrative.
Each shot thus became a story, a way to express not only the aesthetics, but also the emotions and personal stories that each young photographer wanted to convey. The encounter with photography was not limited to mere technique; the children learned to observe the world with new eyes, discovering how each image could reflect their vision of the world, dreams and aspirations.
Epoxy resins
At the same time, the laboratory dedicated to epoxy resins (thermosetting polymers known for their versatility and strength) offered a fascinating opportunity to combine art and science. Participants were guided through a creative journey in which natural elements, such as flowers and leaves, merged with synthetic materials, resulting in objects that combined beauty and functionality.
During the sessions, they explored the various resin processing techniqueslearning to pour, shape and color this versatile material.
The interaction with epoxy resins stimulated not only their manual skills, but also their ability to design and innovate. Each creation became a unique piece, an expression of the personality of each participant, capable of combining aesthetics and practicality in an object that told the story of whoever made it. This workshop encouraged young people to consider the potential for reusing materials and to reflect on the importance of sustainability.
Sound design
Finally, the sound design workshop offered participants the chance to explore the fascinating intersection between sound and image. In a stimulating and interactive environment, the children learned to soundtrack videosso as to understand how the soundtrack could enrich the visual experience and amplify the emotion conveyed by a scene.
This activity highlighted the synergy between auditory and visual perceptionspushing young people to consider storytelling not only in visual terms, but also in auditory terms. Thanks to this experience, participants learned how music and sounds could become powerful narrative tools, capable of transmitting emotions, creating tension and telling stories in new and engaging ways.
The pinhole walk
The pinhole walk presented itself as an educational and immersive experience that combined art, photography and personal discovery. This practice was based on pinhole photography, an ancient technique that allowed images to be captured using a rudimentary camera obscura, without lenses and based on the simple presence of a small hole.
During this activity, participants built their own darkroom, often made from recycled materials, encouraging them to explore creativity and innovation.
Little curiosity: the term “stenopeic” comes from Greek “stenosis” what does it mean “strict” e “ope” what does it mean “opening”.
So, pinhole photography used a narrow aperture to allow light to enter, projecting the image onto the light-sensitive medium inside the camera. This fascinating process not only allowed us to understand the basic principles of photography, but also offered a unique opportunity to reflect on the connection between art and nature.
The boys, while walking along the suggestive avenues of Villa Torlonia, learned to observe the world with a new perspective, capturing the beauty of the details and the uniqueness of each scene.
Soundwalk experience
Next to the pinhole walk, the Soundwalk Experience proposed a sound-ecological dimension that stimulated the auditory sensitivity of the participants. In this workshop, the kids ventured into the soundscape of Villa Torlonia, discovering the richness of sounds which characterized both the natural and the surrounding urban environment. Through careful listening and critical reflection, the participants learned to recognize different sounds: the rustling of leaves, the singing of birds and the sounds of human activities.
This experience not only led them to explore their environment in a new way, but also raised their awareness of the importance of acoustic ecology, i.e. the way in which sounds influence our perception of spaces and our interaction with them. The children were invited to reflect on how sounds could evoke emotions and memories, transforming the simple act of walking into a multi-sensory journey
The Podcast House
Inside Technotown, the Podcast House has emerged as a vibrant place of innovation and creativity. This space, designed to bring young people closer to the world of podcasting, provided tools and resources to explore the potential of the audio medium.
Training events took place on October 18, including a basic podcast creation course and an engaging podcast experience. During the course, participants learned the fundamental techniques for writing, recording and editing audio content, while in the podcast experience they actively contributed to the creation of an episode of the podcast “Ecological”.
The Podcast House has thus become a workshop for digital content creators, allowing young people to express their ideas and narratives through the language of sound. Through this experience, they not only developed technical skills in the field of audio production, but also a deeper understanding of power of communication and storytelling in the contemporary world.
This space represented an important opportunity to explore new forms of artistic expression, encouraging participants to become protagonists of their own story and voice.