An urban mark between memory and contemporaneity

On November 26, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the 1994 flood that devastated the Piedmont region, the city of Alessandria will inaugurate a new public space in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. This project is a highly symbolic artistic and architectural gesture, designed to preserve the memory of the victims and to celebrate the efforts of the volunteers and institutions who, with a spirit of solidarity and sacrifice, worked tirelessly to mitigate damages and save lives.

The intervention takes the form of a small yet significant landmark near Alessandria’s Cittadella, a short distance from Richard Meier’s Cittadella Bridge. Conceived by artist Danilo Trogu in collaboration with Alfonso Femia and his Atelier(s), the work does not conform to the traditional concept of a commemorative monument. Instead, it presents itself as a “discreet trace,” an evocative symbol rooted in collective memory and the urban context. The design intentionally avoids imposing monumentality, opting instead for a more intimate and relational dimension, aimed at preserving not only the memory of a tragic event but also the human values of generosity and resilience.

The geometry of the piece is simple and rigorous, occupying a surface of 240×480 cm and reaching a height of 1.20 m, dimensions that allow it to be fully appreciated by those walking along the riverbank. Clad in porcelain stoneware generously donated by Casalgrande Padana, the work’s tactile and chromatic qualities engage in a dialogue with the surrounding landscape. Its upper surface, adorned with blue and brown glazes, symbolically represents the waves and mud of the flood. Small glazed ceramic houses rest upon it, some appearing submerged, creating a plastic narrative that encapsulates the tragedy of the event.

One of the most delicate and profound aspects of the work lies in the decision to engrave only the first names of the victims on its vertical surface, omitting surnames. This choice, made by Trogu, aims to provide a stronger and more universal emotional identity, one capable of transcending time and resonating in collective memory. The names, stripped of their bureaucratic connotation, rise to represent an intimate and universal dimension of the tragedy, almost poetic in nature.

The work is not just a call to historical memory but also a stark reminder of the pressing relevance of climate change and its impact on urban territories. Italy in 2024, marked by over 1,900 extreme weather events according to the National Association of Land Reclamation, Irrigation, and Land Improvement (ANBI), underscores the urgency of addressing challenges related to water resource management and the prevention of climate emergencies.