In the summer of 2025, GAMeC will present a special project resulting from a collaboration with the Bergamo section of the Italian Alpine Club: EX., a design laboratory born from the work of Andrea Cassi and Michele Versaci, will be responsible for the reconstruction of the historic Bivacco Aldo Frattini in Valbondione, located at about 2,300 meters along the wonderful Alta Via delle Orobie Bergamasche in the Seriana Valley.

Envisioned as a high-altitude “base” for GAMeC, the new structure will not host exhibitions or events, but because of its location and form in relation to its primary function as a place of rest and protection, always open, it will constitute a unique aesthetic experience.

The new Aldo Frattini bivouac—the design of whichis reminiscent of an Alpine tent: a symbol of early expeditions and many high-altitude endeavors—is designed for minimal environmental impact and reversibility,reducing land consumption while maximizing living space. The new structure will continue to provide a safe and comfortable shelter for hikers and climbers, providing protection from the elements, thermal insulation, and essential functionality.

The special feature of the new bivouac will be that its serving as a base for environmental monitoring and scientific research activities, contributing to the knowledge and protection of mountain ecosystems. Thanks to the use of new technologies, the GAMeC will be the point where collected data will constantly flow.

The run-up to the opening of the new Frattini bivouac will be enriched by a series of events, and from June 7 to Sept. 14, the Mountain Forgets You exhibition project will be presented in GAMeC’s Spazio Zero.

Through research materials, including documents, drawings and sketches, selected by EX. with Luca Gibello, Francesca Chiorino, and Matteo de Bellis, and the graphic design by Studio Folder, the exhibition illustrates the ideational process that led to the development of the new Aldo Frattini Bivouac, starting from the definition of the design principles of the new construction up to contextualizing the bivouac within a broader process of the typological and technological evolution of high-altitude architecture.

The exhibition itinerary takes the form of a narrative articulated in two distinct areas: in the first, a two-channel video projection alternates between the composition of the symphony and sequences that retrace the experience of the two artists on top of the mountains. In the second, the immersive work takes shape through a choral composition of a series of objects—receivers, microphones and detectors—used to pick up invisible presences or signals, which synthesize the acoustic experiments gathered in a destabilizing sensory chaos, rendering the violence of air saturation generated by human presence.

In September, a multidisciplinary panel discussion will promote dialogue between artists, architects, and professionals, constituting not only a moment of reflection but a concrete opportunity to address the complexities of the relationship between human beings and the mountains, in a day-long in-depth discussion dedicated to architecture and the role of Alpine bivouacs over the last century.

The reconstruction project of the new Aldo Frattini Bivouac is being carried out with the contribution of Fondazione Cariplo and Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca.

We would like to thank Sacbo S.p.A., Abitare Legno S.r.l., Ferrino & C. S.p.A. and Tecnosugheri S.r.l.

THERMOCENE is an installation produced by Mybosswas, Ex., Arteco and Kino Produzioni. It is produced with the support of Creative Europe MEDIA, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Film Commission Torino Piemonte, Intesa Sanpaolo and Gallerie d’Italia, and with technical support from Another Music Records, Epson, Montarbo, Nanlite, Patona, Rycote, Tip Top Audio, and Gruppo TFS. The installation is part of the development path of Giorgio Ferrero’s documentary film of the same name being produced by Kino productions and Mybosswas.