Tragic news has emerged as Sergio Ricciardone, the visionary founder and director of the renowned Turin festival C2C, passed away on March 11 at the age of 53. The festival released a statement expressing heartfelt condolences to his family, stating, “Sergio’s vision will continue to light our path, and his presence will guide us in difficult times.”
In the early 2000s, Ricciardone collaborated with creative partners to develop a groundbreaking multi-venue festival focused on Turin’s vibrant club scene and cutting-edge electronic music. Established as Club to Club in 2002, the festival later moved to the historic Lingotto Fiere, which once symbolized Italian futurism. Ricciardone aimed to create a fusion of music and art in the city, particularly during a time when electronic genres were exploring the themes of body and identity in the evolving techno landscape. C2C became known for its mesmerizing visual performances, hosting renowned artists such as Caribou’s Dan Snaith, Nicolás Jaar, and emerging talents like Elysia Crampton and Arca, who made significant debuts at the festival.
Ricciardone was known for his meticulous curation, focusing on the festival’s audience and lineups, often withholding the names of key performers until after ticket sales were complete. His ambitious vision for art was sometimes bold, even unconventional. In recent years, he contemplated changing the festival’s name to a symbol represented by its logo, an enigmatic winged figure.
Under Ricciardone’s leadership, C2C evolved from its roots in electronic music to embrace a broader avant-pop identity, as highlighted in a collection of original essays by notable writers. Last year’s diverse lineup included artists like Hessle Audio and Caroline Polachek, while the inaugural New York edition is set for May, featuring performers such as Oneohtrix Point Never and Nala Sinephro.
