Rome- In a blend of artistry and scientific collaboration, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, inaugurated today the World Food Forum’s Smultronstalle Art Exhibition at the Rome Botanical Gardens.
The exhibition, created by the young artist Egeon from Bolzano in Northern Italy, will be open to the public until 27 October, and promises to immerse visitors in the world of mushrooms and fungi through live mushroom installations, an inspiring collection of sculptures and watercolour paintings. It also offers a unique perspective on these often-overlooked marvels of nature and their vital role in sustaining our planet.
Speaking at the opening, Qu, recognized the collaborative masterpiece between Egeon and the World Food Forum that not only showcases the artistic brilliance of our youth, but also serves as an innovative tool to provide technical information on fungi and mushrooms, and to explain their indispensable role in our ecosystem
Indeed, the central theme of the exhibition revolves around nutrient cycling, shedding light on the process of cultivating and utilizing mushrooms as fully organic fertilizer, inviting viewers to develop a profound appreciation for their pivotal role in nature's delicate balance.
The FAO Director-General also emphasized the goal of engaging and empowering youth to transform global agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. For him, culture is a powerful catalyst that can inspire younger generations to work towards a more sustainable future.
Through strategic partnerships with the UN Environment Programme ( UNEP) and FAO's Generation Restoration, the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, and the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA), the exhibition will harness the power of art as a catalyst and a universal medium for effectively conveying crucial global technical data and beyond.
Qu also acknowledged the strong partnership with La Sapienza University, custodian of the Botanical Gardens, dedicated to creating unique moments that highlight both the vital role of the youth as well as the aspiration of the Four Betters which underlines FAO’s work: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – to ensure that no one is left behind.
The World Food Forum (WFF), established by the FAO Director-General in 2021, is comprised of 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 our agrifood systems in light of the current challenges and crises. The WWF will host its annual flagship event this 16-20 October at FAO headquarters.
“The work we are presenting today makes a link between art, science and culture”, said the artist Egeon, who was inspired by his childhood in the Italian mountains to create it.
According to an FAO report, soil organisms, such as fungi, play a crucial role in boosting food production, enhancing nutritious diets, preserving human health, remediating pollution and combating climate change, but their contribution remains largely underestimated.