“WAYA” is a live audio-visual performance that delves into the deindustrialization of Asti, Italy, with a focus on the historic Way Assauto factory, commonly known as Waya. This performance

merges documentary interviews, advanced 3D renderings, generative soundscapes, and AI- generated imagery to create a multi-sensory exploration of abandoned industrial spaces and their potential for regeneration.

The narrative is driven by interviews with Mario Renosio, former director of the Historical Institute of Asti, and Lucio Zotti, an activist and president of the San Fedele neighborhood committee. Their insights provide a deep understanding of Waya’s impact on the local community and its subsequent decline. These spoken elements are interwoven with evocative soundscapes that capture the eerie silence of deserted factories and the echoes of their industrial past.

Visually, the performance features 3D point cloud renderings of Asti’s abandoned factories, manipulated in real-time by synthesized sounds. These evolving forms represent the resurgence of life within these forgotten spaces. In a speculative twist, AI-generated images depict animals reclaiming these industrial ruins in a future devoid of human presence, highlighting the enduring power of nature.

“WAYA” invites the audience to experience the intersection of art, history, and technology, offering a profound reflection on the transformation of industrial landscapes. Through this immersive experience, the performance encourages viewers to reconsider the future of abandoned spaces and their role in our cultural and environmental narrative.