Back to News 10 July 2025 Haley Mellin, Siamo Natura exhibition at Museo Novocento Landmark solo show reflects a contemporary model for sustainable exhibiting. Artist and land conservationist Haley Mellin is using her first solo show at the historic Museo Novecento in Florence, Italy to demonstrate a new holistic model for sustainable exhibiting and curation. Image: Courtesy Ela Bialkowska, OKNOstudio Mellin worked closely with the museum, exhibition’s curators Sergio Risaliti and Stefania Rispoli, and shippers Dietl and Butterfly to achieve the sustainable shipping goals. Founder of the Art into Acres non-profit, artist-centric initiative, and co-founder of Conserve.org and the MOCA Environmental Council, Mellin interweaves painting, drawing and ecological activism. She paints in the open air, in the heart of the forests that are being protected. Unpacking ROKBOX. Image: Courtesy the artist and Museo Novecento The exhibition planning of Siamo Natura was guided by Haley’s understanding of anthropogenic climate change. Optimised transportation, including ROKBOX reusable crates, along with recycled paper for information materials, and frames certified by One Tree Planted (which plant a tree for each frame), are some of the steps taken to reduce the environmental footprint of the show. The shipping also focused on the hub model, allowing many works to crate and ship together. This approach took teamwork, and was generously supported by the loaning collections who shipped to a centralised location. In addition, the vegetarian-based opening dinner engaged a carbon-budget. Image: @Haley Mellin, Museo Novecento Haley Mellin commented: “It is important to me to look carefully at the shipping process to find sustainable and fiscally efficient options. ROKBOK LOOP crates are so light, I was able to raise one side with a single finger. This made for reduced emissions, and a very satisfied installation team. Measurement of emissions is paramount, and using the GCC calculator we can see that using ROKBOX LOOP reduced the carbon emissions of the shipment by 2.3 tonnes of CO2e.” She added: “Art and arts institutions are important to land conservation and environmental sustainability. In the arts sector, there are unfolding dialogues about the integrity of the cultural space in climate futures. The cultural space is a place wherein both ancient histories and the concept of newness, or innovation cohabitate.” Claudia Ruane, ROKBOX Director commented: “Haley Mellin is defining a new era where conservation, environment and art integrate. ROKBOX has been helping artists, galleries and museums lower transport emissions by 90% for half a decade and we’re thrilled ROKBOX LOOP was chosen for this landmark show.” About ROKBOX ROKBOX reusable crates lower the carbon and waste footprint of fine art shipping by up to 90%, whilst improving protection of works in storage and transit. Made with carefully sourced materials, they are strong and protective yet lightweight and easily recyclable. A 2025 independent LifeCycle Analysis by Northeastern University has shown ROKBOX crates to be 92% better for the environment than all other fine art shipping crates. For more information on sustainable fine art shipping, subscribe to the ROKBOX newsletter or contact info@rok-box.com Back to News