la cura threaded installation by ECO weaves across neglected elementary school in italy

La Cura thread installation by ECO Revives Barzanò’s Identity

Italian artist ECO unveils La Cura, a project that merges art and urban regeneration in Barzanò, a small town in the heart of Brianza, Italy. Unlike nearby Milan, Barzanò retains a slower pace of life, fostering close social connections and community vibrancy. At its center, however, lies a stark void—a disused building complex that serves as both a witness to the town’s history and a symbol of its neglect. The structure, a former elementary school built during the Fascist era, embodies the architectural characteristics of that period. It remains a significant marker of the town’s identity and memory, becoming a ‘living ghost’ after years of abandonment. The structure stands as a deep wound in the townscape. Despite numerous efforts by successive administrations to restore and repurpose the property, the building continues to demand attention and care.

La Cura thread installation extends across the building’s main facade, presenting an artistic intervention aimed at awakening public consciousness. Urging residents to move beyond mere awareness, the public artwork calls for collective meaningful action to harness the energy required for the structure’s redevelopment. By confronting indifference and apathy, ECO challenges viewers to reflect on their role in preserving community identity.

all images by Andrea Bassani | courtesy of ECO

ECO encourages participatory activism toward urban recovery

The initiative transforms public art into a form of participatory activism, involving the local community to reveal the hidden potential of neglected spaces. By consciously leveraging abandonment as an opportunity, the artist seeks to spark virtuous cycles of recovery and restoration.

Italy, with one of the highest numbers of abandoned or poorly restored buildings in the world, faces an ongoing challenge in redirecting energy toward sustainable rehabilitation. This issue is exacerbated by indifference and the growing disparity between neglected rural areas and overdeveloped urban centers. The increasing demand for space in cities risks undermining Italy’s delicate urban fabric, which is defined by its unique and varied environmental contexts. In this context, Barzanò becomes a poignant example—a starting point for a series of projects aimed at confronting and healing the scars on Italy’s identity. La Cura embodies a call to action, emphasizing that the decision to restore these spaces is not merely architectural but also a moral imperative.

La Cura by Italian artist ECO merges art with urban regeneration in Barzanò, a historic town in Brianza

the installation revives a disused Fascist-era elementary school—a stark void in the town’s vibrant fabric

La Cura transforms the school’s main facade into an artistic intervention, calling for public awareness

by highlighting the potential of abandonment, ECO sparks new opportunities for recovery and restoration

years of abandonment have turned the structure into a ‘living ghost’ within the urban landscape

the abandoned school is both a witness to Barzanò’s history and a poignant symbol of neglect

La Cura reimagines public art as participatory activism, involving the community in revitalizing neglected spaces

first conceptual sketch of the artwork

project info:

name: La Cura
artist: ECO | @followthe.eco

photography: Andrea Bassani | @bassa.mc

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom