A flower for each life lost.

In commemoration of November 25th — the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — the town of Carmignano unveiled WADE’s 140: Memorial in Bloom on November 22, 2025 at the Centro Didattico Polifunzionale.

The presentation took place during a public ceremony dedicated to honoring the women who lost their lives to femicide in Italy in 2025. The event was introduced by the Mayor and attended by members of the local community.

Following the ceremony, a fundraising luncheon was held in support of NARA, an anti-violence center in Italy.

ABOUT 140: Memorial In Bloom

The installation takes shape as a monumental ribbon composed of seven distinct segments, each representing a day of the week and holding 140 flowers: the UN-reported daily global average of women killed in 2024 by intimate partners or family members. Together, the seven planters embody a week in the life of the world, repeating a staggering and devastating pattern of loss. By translating these statistics into a tangible, living form, the work becomes both a memorial and a call to action: a demand that we not only remember the dead, but also reckon with the systems that make such violence possible.

After the event, the seven planters will be painted, sealed, and donated to organizations and individuals working to end domestic violence. We hope that these coffin-like vessels, created in memory of those lost, will find new life on windowsills across the country—nurturing fresh plant growth and symbolizing renewal.

Contributors:
Giada Matteini, Concept
Jon Allaire, Installation designer
Carissa Dahlia, Carpenter
Paper flowers handmade by Giada Matteini and members of the WADE community
Fabric faux flowers courtesy of Material for the Arts