Barlo and Andrea Casciu did a summertime mural project in Bologna last week as a metaphorical commentary on machinations and struggles happening during the current housing crisis in Italy. It is an awkward, tormented series of movements in concert with and against partners entitled “The Dance”.
Barlo . Andrea Casciu. Bologna, Italy. July 2015. (photo © Barlo)
Not enough places are available for people to live so squatters have been taking over abandoned or unoccupied ones. The government has been passing legislation to widen options of affordable housing but restricting illegal takeovers. Add to this certain elements of anti-immigrants, racism and ongoing corrosive attacks on the social safety net, and you understand how tensions run high.
Barlo . Andrea Casciu. Bologna, Italy. July 2015. (photo © Barlo)
The figures in conflict here in the new mural symbolize the forces at odds – and a contested 9,000 square foot settlement from the political collective Làbas in the former Caserma Masini symbolizes all of it. The collaborative illustration itself is located in “Làbas centro sociale” (Labas Community Center) in “an occupied structure very active in community activities related to the housing emergency in Italy – in the city center of Bologna,” says Barlo.
No angry slogans, no marches, no eggs were thrown; It is good to see art being used to depict powerful struggles underway in the heart of a disputed space.
Barlo . Andrea Casciu. Bologna, Italy. July 2015. (photo © Barlo)
Barlo . Andrea Casciu. Bologna, Italy. July 2015. (photo © Barlo)
Barlo . Andrea Casciu. Bologna, Italy. July 2015. (photo © Barlo)
Barlo . Andrea Casciu. Bologna, Italy. July 2015. (photo © Barlo)
Other Articles You May Like from BSA:
Struggling to focus your eyes on evolving mysteries of the day, you may think that the world is visible at times through mottled glass. You can make out the forms, the gestures, the motions perhaps, ...
You’ve packed your sandwiches, rolled out your tropically themed beach towel on the sand, applied sun block liberally, sipped your margarita from your thermos, and are finally laying down to daze at t...
Furthering his examination of geometric forms interacting in a multi-dimensional field, Etnik creates this new mural in a Roman neighborhood in full view from your terrace. The cube forms emanate forw...
Stomping through the streets of New York Friday looking for new Street Art and graffiti, the cold and the wind reminded us of a saying we learned from the Norwegians during recent trips there: "...
Outdoor Gallery - New York City by Yoav Litvin The outdoor gallery is the one we visit most and NYC is always front and center in our heart even as we branched out to about 100 other cities and tow...