ABOUT

ECO-SYSTEM LIGHTING THE INNOVATIVE AND GREEN HERITAGE THROUGH TECHNOLOGIES

ABOUT

ECO-SYSTEM LIGHTING THE INNOVATIVE AND GREEN
HERITAGE THROUGH TECHNOLOGIES

SUMMARY

ECO-LIGHT is an ambitious and visionary project dedicated to fostering a new Culture of Light through a dynamic, multidisciplinary approach. By integrating visual arts, design, music, theater, and dance, ECO-LIGHT explores light as both an artistic and design tool—capable of transforming landscapes and urban environments with renewed visual and experiential identities.
At its core, ECO-LIGHT aims to reinterpret and promote Italian cultural heritage on a global scale. The project embraces sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies to shape a forward-thinking narrative that connects tradition, innovation, and ecology. ECO-LIGHT is the proud winner of a call for proposals funded by the European Union under the Next Generation EU Program (Directorial Decree No. 124 of 19-07-2023, issued by the Ministry of University and Research). The project is conceived and led by the Istituto Italiano di Design, in collaboration with three prestigious partners:

Together, these institutions form a consortium committed to artistic excellence, academic research and cultural innovation. ECO-LIGHT is more than a project—it’s a platform where creativity, sustainability and education illuminate the future.

PROJECT TEAM

ANNA MARIA RUSSO

President – Lead Partner

Designer since 1997 and entrepreneur, Anna Maria Russo was recognized among the 25 women awarded the Impresa Donna Award by the City of Perugia in April 2022, honoring her role as an ambassador of female entrepreneurship. Since 1999, she has overseen the institution’s accreditation processes, including ISO9001 certification for high international quality standards (Kiwa) and professional qualification certification pursuant to Legislative Decree 13/2013 (formerly Law 845/78). In 2005, she integrated the institute’s courses into the European ECTS – European Credit Transfer System, aligning the curriculum with EU academic standards. In 2000, she also founded a non-profit cultural association dedicated to promoting socially-oriented initiatives.

ROBERTO ANTONELLO

2DO

MICHELE CAPUANI

2DO

GIAN MARCO REVEL

2DO

GISELLA GELLINI

Scientific Coordinator

Graduated in Architecture, Gisella Gellini has deepened her expertise in Light Art through her collaboration with Dr. Giuseppe Panza di Biumo. She has become a leading figure in the field, significantly contributing to the advancement of the Culture of Light. She is a lecturer at the School of Design at the Politecnico di Milano, and she curates Light Art and Black Light Art exhibitions both in Italy and internationally. An accomplished author, she has written numerous articles and published several books, including Light Art in Italy, a seminal work on Italian Light Art now in its eleventh edition.

BENEDETTA RISOLO

Project Manager

Corporate lawyer with a specialization in international and corporate law, Benedetta Risolo has previously worked with major firms including GiGroup SpA, Astaldi SpA (International Contracts, Corporate Affairs), and Deloitte&T. (Due Diligence). In 2019, she joined the Istituto Italiano Design, where she has since overseen national accreditations (MUR/AFAM, CILS, SBN/OPAC, UNIVERS-Italy) as well as international rankings—such as the IMPACT/THE Ranking (London), placing the institute in the national top 10 and global top 25%. In addition to managing ECO-LIGHT, she currently coordinates five other European-funded projects.

GAETANO CORICA

Research Fellow

Curator, lighting and exhibition designer, Gaetano Corica has focused his research on the relationship between light and space since his early career as a photographer. He holds a degree in Interior Design from the Politecnico di Milano, where he developed a research and design thesis on Black Light Art. As a curator and designer, he works on contemporary art exhibitions both in Italy and abroad, and has curated numerous Light Art and Black Light Art shows throughout the country. Since October 2024, he has been conducting research at the Università Politecnica delle Marche.

GAETANO LETTERA

2DO

WALTER RISOLO

Head of Education

An Electronic Engineer since 1992 with a strong background in scientific research, Walter Risolo boasts numerous academic publications and over 30 years of experience in education at both school and university levels. He has held various leadership roles in the scientific and cultural fields—for example, as Director of the Ignazio Danti Planetarium—and has received several international awards and recognitions, including an acknowledgment from the International Astronomical Union (Paris) in 2021. Since 2024, he has been a member of the Doctoral Board for the PhD program in “Design, Music, and Territories”, the first AFAM doctoral program in Italy, led by the Briccialdi Conservatory of Terni.

OBJECTIVES

Promotion of Italian Research: Disseminate and enhance artistic and scientific research related to light and its applications, contributing to greater international visibility.
Training and Professionalization: Create training opportunities for professionals in the field of multimedia communication and the arts, with a focus on innovative skills.
Accessibility of Research and Art: Making research and artistic works accessible to a wider audience, facilitating fruition and interaction.
Internationalization and Sustainability: Foster international cooperation and promote sustainable practices through events and artistic installations.
Dissemination and Digital Accessibility: Develop an interactive virtual platform for sharing project activities and results, ensuring global access.

Project supporters

eco-light project

Project supporters

IN partership with

financed by

“ECO-LIGHT” – acronym for “Eco-System Lighting the Innovative and Green Heritage through Technologies” – is an initiative funded under Directorial Decree No. 124/2023 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research (project code: INTAFAM000_49, E96E24000000001). The project is designed to enhance the AFAM network (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica) and promote its internationalization through a wide range of experiences, activities, and programs focused on communication, dissemination, awareness, education, research, and artistic production. These actions aim to preserve and promote Italian culture and the values of Made in Italy, supporting the transmission of heritage through innovation and sustainability. ECO-LIGHT is committed to broadening access to Italy’s rich cultural, artistic, musical, and choreographic heritage—ensuring optimal conditions for public engagement and enjoyment, while boosting its visibility and attractiveness on an international scale.

Made by Gaetano Lettera