The Mediterranean Sea, once understood as a fluid entity aiding the formation of networks and exchange, is now the scenario of a humanitarian crisis and heated geopolitical dispute.

Following scholar Alessandra Di Maio’s adaptation of the Black Atlantic theory to the Mediterranean, Black Med aims at intercepting the trajectories that sounds trace passing through this protean area. Divided into different chapters, the Black Med listening sessions are based on a DJ set supported by a series of projected slides containing theoretical texts and backstories referring to the musical pieces, grouped by elegiac themes. The sessions explore different journeys of sound movement, touching topics such as alternate uses of technology, migrations, peripheries and interspecies.

In the 6th chapter of Black Med, commissioned by TBA21–Academy as part of the cycle The Current III - Mediterraneans: ‘Thus waves come in pairs’ (after Etel Adnan) led by Barbara Casavecchia, Invernomuto take David Abulafia’s essay Mediterraneans as a point of departure to compare a variety of Mediterraneans, past and present, extending beyond the perimeter of the so-called Classic Mediterranean.

Simone Bertuzzi and Simone Trabucchi have been collaborating as Invernomuto since 2003. Although their work focuses primarily on the moving image and sound, they also integrate sculpture, performance and publishing into their practice. Invernomuto explores what remain of subcultures by moving through different media. The project Black Med was conceived in 2018 for Manifesta 12 (Palermo) and has recently been part of the performance programme at the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019. Invernomuto presented their work in solo shows at Galleria Nazionale, Rome (2019), NN Contemporary Art, Northampton (2019), Pinksummer, Genoa (2019), Leto Gallery, Warsaw (2019), Artspeak, Vancouver (2015), Triennale di Milano, Milan (2014), among others. In 2017 Invernomuto wins the Museion Prize 1 (Bozen); in 2018 they are finalists of the MAXXI Bvlgari Prize (Rome) and MAC International 2018 (Belfast). Their work has been shown, among others, at TATE (London), Manifesta 12 (Palermo), Villa Medici (Rome), Alserkal Avenue (Dubai), Kunsthalle Wien (Vienna), Galleria Nazionale (Rome), Nuit Blanche 2017 (Paris), MAXXI (Rome), Museion (Bozen), Unsound Festival (Krakow), Kunstverein München (Munich), Bozar (Brussels), FAR° (Nyon), Centre d’Art Contemporain (Geneva), Bétonsalon (Paris), Live Arts Week V (Bologna), Istituto Italiano di Cultura (Addis Abeba), Fondation Ricard (Paris), Black Star Film Festival (Philadelphia), Centre Pompidou (Paris), Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo (Turin), Hangar Bicocca (Milan), Premio Furla (Bologna), No Fun Fest 2009 (New York), Biennale Architettura 11 (Venice).

The Current ebbs and flows at the heart of the collective explorations led by TBA21–Academy. With the aim of strengthening friendships between artists, scientists, activists, and policymakers, "The Current" is a pioneering initiative that cultivates transdisciplinary practices and the exchange of ideas around our relationships to and understanding of the ocean as kinship. Each cycle of the program "The Current" lasts three to five years and focuses on a specific location. The third cycle of "The Current", spanning from 2021–25, is decentralized and turns our attention on the Mediterranean, Oceania, and the Caribbean. With the working title “Mediterraneans: Thus waves come in pairs' (after Etel Adnan)”, the first stream of "The Current III" cycle is led by Barbara Casavecchia as a ​​ transdisciplinary and transregional exercise in sensing, thinking, and learning with - by supporting situated projects, collective pedagogies and voices along the Mediterranean shores across art, culture, science, conservation, and activism.

Participation in the listening session is free but a reservation is required at the following link.

From August 6 all visitors must present a valid Covid-19 Green Certification (Green Pass) to access Ocean Space.

In accordance with the current rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Ocean Space's capacity has been reduced to ensure a safe experience.

Inside Ocean Space wearing a mask is mandatory (covering both the nose and mouth correctly) hands must be sanitized with the disinfectant at the entrance. At the entrance, visitors’ temperatures will be taken.