In addition to being one of the main fruit tree species in modern agriculture, peach has been appreciated since ancient times for the delicate colors and scents of its fruit and the beauty of its blossom, as widely testified by artworks and writings representing the cultural and scientific heritage associated with this plant. Beyond its important economic value for many fruit growing districts, peach is unique among fruit species for its symbolic significance and many questions are still open regarding its origin and history: which are the genetic ‘paths’ that have allowed this species to evolve up to the current cultivated forms ? Can its wild ancestors be identified, as was done for other fruit species? How, in the face of a relatively limited genetic variability, was it possible to obtain varieties covering a geographical extension that spans from the subtropics to Canada, with a ripening calendar that covers almost six months?
The mysterious evolutionary history of the peach tree
Among the objectives of the House of Fruits (CdF) is to create a permanent structure dedicated to the peach tree and its fruit, organized, in both physical and virtual terms, for the conservation and public use of archaeological and scientific assets and data collections, with the purposes of enhancement, education, study and entertainment.
The Exhibition Sector of the “International Center for the Innovation of Fruit Supply Chains” (Centro Internazionale per l’Innovazione delle Filiere Frutticole – CIIFF) is proposed as the first cultural, scientific and applied technology center dedicated to the museumization of the tree species in Italy.
An original and multifunctional center – which has the further purpose of overcoming the static perception of the museum property to redeem the etymology of the term “museum” (museum or mouseion as “Temple of the Muses” or place of cultural activities) through innovative character of the offered service – designed to offer all audiences a great cultural experience of visit, discovery and exploration where, through the display of natural elements (also as reproductions), touchscreen and multi-touch visual interfaces, 3D videos, holograms, interactive surfaces and olfactory perception, the visitor will come into contact with the scientific and historical archaeological assets, in an interactive and most dynamic way.
It is a polycentric exhibition sector for a cultural experience in the broadest and most complete sense of the term – between contemplation and aesthetic pleasure, immersion, amazement, learning, game, intellectual fun and knowledge – capable of recounting the multiple facets that make up the world of the peach tree and its fruit in all the complexity of its cultural, scientific, symbolic and productive value, opening real “windows” on history, geographies, landscapes and seasons, simultaneously staging paleobotanical and genetic, linguistic and artistic aspects, productive, technological innovation and exploration of the territory up to the possibility to taste its products and enjoy moments of strong immersion that will surprise every visitor’s palate and senses.
The integrated design is intended for an inclusive and engaging set-up aiming to accompany and guide the public within an experiential, absolutely unique, extraordinary and not anywhere else reproducible visit dimension, through a multimedia, interactive and three-dimensional approach, and and through the creation of a highly immersive multidisciplinary path.
Indeed, the design gives shape to a fluid, dynamic, open compositional system, in an original alternation of solids and voids, rows and curtains, machines and machinery, stalls, kitchen counters, research laboratory and serving counters, windows on the world and territory, open and immersive installations – all in order to accompany the visitor in the great multi-millennial tale of the peach tree and its juicy fruit: from historical-naturalistic, landscape and linguistic, to iconographic and cultural, productive, commercial and nutritional, biological and genetic research, technological innovation and the territory thanks to a great variability of interfaces and environments capable of integrating narrative, historical and scientific documentation, interaction, experientiality, immersion, tasting, exploration and multisensorship…
A further aim of the project is to stimulate the visitor to explore the territorial aspects, offering a series of interactive tools – like maps, landscape windows, binoculars on the territory, etc. – that allow him to compose tailor-made integrated itineraries – between nature, landscape, art and architecture, food and wine assets and production excellence – according to his needs, his interests and his time availability … starting from the PeachRefPop living collection, with its more than 400 varieties!
Among the objectives of the House of Fruits (CdF) is to create a permanent structure dedicated to the peach tree and its fruit, organized, in both physical and virtual terms, for the conservation and public use of archaeological and scientific assets and data collections, with the purposes of enhancement, education, study and entertainment.
The Exhibition Sector of the “International Center for the Innovation of Fruit Supply Chains” (Centro Internazionale per l’Innovazione delle Filiere Frutticole – CIIFF) is proposed as the first cultural, scientific and applied technology center dedicated to the museumization of the tree species in Italy.
An original and multifunctional center – which has the further purpose of overcoming the static perception of the museum property to redeem the etymology of the term “museum” (museum or mouseion as “Temple of the Muses” or place of cultural activities) through innovative character of the offered service – designed to offer all audiences a great cultural experience of visit, discovery and exploration where, through the display of natural elements (also as reproductions), touchscreen and multi-touch visual interfaces, 3D videos, holograms, interactive surfaces and olfactory perception, the visitor will come into contact with the scientific and historical archaeological assets, in an interactive and most dynamic way.
It is a polycentric exhibition sector for a cultural experience in the broadest and most complete sense of the term – between contemplation and aesthetic pleasure, immersion, amazement, learning, game, intellectual fun and knowledge – capable of recounting the multiple facets that make up the world of the peach tree and its fruit in all the complexity of its cultural, scientific, symbolic and productive value, opening real “windows” on history, geographies, landscapes and seasons, simultaneously staging paleobotanical and genetic, linguistic and artistic aspects, productive, technological innovation and exploration of the territory up to the possibility to taste its products and enjoy moments of strong immersion that will surprise every visitor’s palate and senses.
The integrated design is intended for an inclusive and engaging set-up aiming to accompany and guide the public within an experiential, absolutely unique, extraordinary and not anywhere else reproducible visit dimension, through a multimedia, interactive and three-dimensional approach, and and through the creation of a highly immersive multidisciplinary path.
Indeed, the design gives shape to a fluid, dynamic, open compositional system, in an original alternation of solids and voids, rows and curtains, machines and machinery, stalls, kitchen counters, research laboratory and serving counters, windows on the world and territory, open and immersive installations – all in order to accompany the visitor in the great multi-millennial tale of the peach tree and its juicy fruit: from historical-naturalistic, landscape and linguistic, to iconographic and cultural, productive, commercial and nutritional, biological and genetic research, technological innovation and the territory thanks to a great variability of interfaces and environments capable of integrating narrative, historical and scientific documentation, interaction, experientiality, immersion, tasting, exploration and multisensorship…
A further aim of the project is to stimulate the visitor to explore the territorial aspects, offering a series of interactive tools – like maps, landscape windows, binoculars on the territory, etc. – that allow him to compose tailor-made integrated itineraries – between nature, landscape, art and architecture, food and wine assets and production excellence – according to his needs, his interests and his time availability … starting from the PeachRefPop living collection, with its more than 400 varieties!