Soundscapes from the Port of Genoa
On 13 December 2025, from 3:00 p.m., the Minor Consiglio Hall at Palazzo Ducale hosts In the Port / Listening Session, an immersive sound experience that brings together artistic research and scientific inquiry. The initiative is part of RAISEmotion, within the activities of RAISE – Spoke 4 “Smart and Sustainable Ports”, and originates from the work of Stellare – FiloQ, Ale Bavo and Raffaele Rebaudengo – curated by Maria Pina Usai (U-BOOT Lab) with scientific supervision by Francesca Garaventa (CNR-IAS).
The project draws inspiration from the Port of Genoa, a place in constant motion that becomes both a source of sonic materials and a space for exploration. Maritime traffic, human crossings, vibrations, frictions and everyday micro-events shape a living score. The Ocean software processes data published by the Port System Authority and information collected by the ILC-CNR research group on the impact of acoustic pollution, transforming them into sound elements that Stellare interweaves with samples and original field recordings. Through this process, the substance of the port emerges in a new dimension, connecting technology, perception and creativity.
The event unfolds in two complementary moments.
From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., visitors may enter freely and experience the autonomous Listening Session. The curators will be present to engage with those interested in learning about the compositional process, the approach to data collection and the artistic choices that shaped the soundscape.
At 6:00 p.m., a public talk with seating begins, offering insight into the broader framework that enabled the project. Researchers, curators and artists will present the vision of the RAISE ecosystem and the pathway that generated RAISEmotion. The conversation will explore the potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration, the role of digital innovation and the capacity of sound to illuminate social, environmental and industrial dynamics. A shared listening session will follow, inviting the audience into the core of the work to appreciate both its aesthetic qualities and cultural significance.
In the Port / Listening Session also dialogues with the exhibition “Moby Dick – The Whale” at Palazzo Ducale, enriching the cultural programme with an immersive experience that brings forward the deep energy of the Port of Genoa. Logistics becomes an acoustic gesture, the urban landscape transforms into a sensitive narrative and listening opens a space for reflection on the relationship between productive activity, the environment and quality of life.
Free admission until capacity is reached.
