Dialogues on Water

Marco Paolini and Atlante delle Rive meet the artistic journeys of Maria Roveran and Giovanni Pellegrini

Water runs through the artistic work of Marco Paolini, Maria Roveran, and Giovanni Pellegrini. Through diverse practices—theater, music, and cinema—they have traversed the water-rich landscapes of the Veneto region, from Alpine springs and rivers to the Venetian Lagoon, exploring the relationship between ecosystems, memory, and community. Why is it necessary today to rethink our relationship with water resources, particularly in the Veneto? And what contribution can artistic practice make toward making the transformations of these landscapes tangible? Drawing on their respective bodies of work, this meeting offers a shared reflection on the bond between water and territory, demonstrating how art, science, and ecology can engage in dialogue to shape new visions and foster deeper awareness. It is a conversation in which cinema—present in various ways in the paths of all three guests—emerges as a privileged tool for observing and telling the story of the contemporary landscape.

Marco Paolini is a director, writer, and actor—and one of the most significant figures on the contemporary Italian cultural scene—known for combining artistic inquiry with civic engagement. Active since the 1970s, with works ranging from those dedicated to the Vajont disaster to Mar de Molada, he has developed an ongoing reflection on the relationship between water, territory, and community, a theme that takes shape in the Atlante delle Rive project.

Maria Roveran is an actress, musician, and performer. She has worked with directors such as Alessandro Rossetto, Mario Martone, and Giuseppe Piccioni. From the film Piccola Patria (2013) to the album Come in un film (2025), her artistic work intertwines acting, music, and sound experimentation.

Giovanni Pellegrini is a Venetian director and producer. With Anguane, le voci dell’acqua (EFF HAB), the project continues its exploration of the Veneto’s water landscapes—a journey begun with Aquagranda in crescendo (2017), La città delle sirene (2021), and Lagunaria (2022).

LA FABBRICA DEL MONDO is an interdisciplinary collective of artists and scientists established to raise awareness of the vital connection—in our current era—between waters and landscapes, and between ecologies and cultures, employing the universal language of art and theater. Born from the television program of the same name, the Incontri della Fabbrica del Mondo (Fabbrica del Mondo Gatherings) took shape in Montegrotto; these evolved into the Atlante delle Rive (Atlas of Riverbanks) project—a widespread, collaborative civic theater initiative connecting schools, theaters, and citizens to tell the story of Italy through its rivers and watersheds. This project took its first steps right here at Villa Draghi.

The event will take place on Wednesday, September 2, at 8:30 PM at Villa Draghi, Montegrotto Terme.