All posts tagged: Alessio Bolognesi

King Kong Through Italian Eyes: Alessio “Bolo” Bolognesi

King Kong Through Italian Eyes: Alessio “Bolo” Bolognesi

September 26, 2023

In the heart of the Emilia Romagna region, close to Ferrara, a new mural brings a favorite cinematic moment to life. Towering on a wall as part of the “Gherardi città del Cinema project,” it showcases the iconic figure of King Kong, but not quite as we traditionally know him. Behind this reimagined portrayal stands Alessio “Bolo” Bolognesi, an urban artist, painter, and illustrator, is renowned for a distinct style and approach to street art, but for him, this one is inspired by location. “As Ferrara has a strong bond to the world of cinema,” says the artist, “all the walls are dedicated to films directly or indirectly connected to the territory.”

Bolo – Alessio Bolognesi. Gherardi città del Cinema project. Ferrara – Emilia Romagna, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

Born in Ferrara in 1978, Bolognesi’s roots in graffiti and street art are embedded deep, having been a part of the artistic collective Vida Krei (VKB). Although his initial forays on the street were paused by his academic pursuits in electronic engineering and a parallel career in 3D graphic design, his passion for painting was reignited in 2008.

The new King Kong mural is dedicated to the Oscar-winning special effects genius Carlo Rambaldi, a native of Vigarano Mainarda in Ferrara. Bolognesi says he wants to encapsulate the poignant relationship between King Kong and Miss Dwan, portrayed by Jessica Lange in the 1977 film. It’s a portrayal that goes beyond mere visuals, delving into themes of love, empathy, and the tumultuous relationship between humanity and nature.

Mural painting like this has, for centuries, been a medium of storytelling, with cultural icons often playing pivotal roles. As traditional mural paintings converge with contemporary street art, a rich series of narratives continue to emerge. Bolognesi’s King Kong is a testament to this synthesis.

 

Bolo – Alessio Bolognesi. Gherardi città del Cinema project. Ferrara – Emilia Romagna, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
Bolo – Alessio Bolognesi. Gherardi città del Cinema project. Ferrara – Emilia Romagna, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
Bolo – Alessio Bolognesi. Gherardi città del Cinema project. Ferrara – Emilia Romagna, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
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Alessio Bolognesi: The Whale-Man Bond

Alessio Bolognesi: The Whale-Man Bond

September 22, 2022

Ferraro-based mural artist Allessio Bolegnesi continues our summertime fascination with Italian painters on this last day of summer. This “Whale-man” is a provocative fusion you haven’t probably considered, yet now you may wonder if it will be possible someday. Actually, he says the new 15 x 7.5-meter mural is just a metaphor.

Alessio Bolognesi. “The Whale-Man”. Caorle Sea Festival 2022. Caorle, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

Allessio tells us, “The Whale-man is a symbol of the relationship that binds the human being to the sea and vice-versa.” It is true if you have ever met an oceanographer or a surfer. This relationship, the artist says, is, “A bond that we’re forgetting.”

Alessio Bolognesi. “The Whale-Man”. Caorle Sea Festival 2022. Caorle, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
Alessio Bolognesi. “The Whale-Man”. Caorle Sea Festival 2022. Caorle, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

Alessio Bolognesi. “The Whale-Man”. Caorle Sea Festival 2022. Caorle, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

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BOLO and the “Partisan Coot” in Molinella for ARTU

BOLO and the “Partisan Coot” in Molinella for ARTU

February 4, 2021

Ferrara-based Alessio Bolognesi (Bolo) is a part of the Vida Krei Collective with two other Italian artists, Psiko and Rash. Here in Molinella last fall for the ARTU festival, BOLO went solo to paint his “Folaga Partigiana”, or “Partisan Coot.”

The huge event invites many artists to paint – one creative activity that isn’t really constricted during the pandemic – and one that draws an appreciative audience.

BOLO. “Partisan Coot”. ARTU Fest. Molinella, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

Bolo’s mural focuses on a Coot – the medium-sized water that are members of the rail family, Rallidae – and who figure into regional history. He places and old water mill on the bird’s back, and since Molinella comes from the Italian word for mill, Molino, you can see where he is taking you. He places a red handkerchief around its neck in solidarity with the partisan struggles in this area, he says.

BOLO. “Partisan Coot”. ARTU Fest. Molinella, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

“I wanted to create a work that can be read at different levels” – Bolo explains – “the first impact is certainly due to the contrast between the bunch of colors in the background and the black of the coot which, I hope, is positive for those arriving in the village since the wall of the railway station on which I painted the mural is located right on one of the main access roads to the town. However, if you want to read beyond the aesthetic aspect, then you can stop and reflect on the references to the territory and history I wanted to include in the project “

BOLO. “Partisan Coot”. ARTU Fest. Molinella, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

Artists who participated in the festival included Kiki Skipi, Mi Chiamo Zeta, Vesod, Fabio Petani, Paolo Psiko, Alessio Bolognesi, Ermes Bichi, Alessio Anthony, Pasa, Burla, Turbo Kidd, Luca Lorenzoni, Edo 9000, Gloria Goderecci, Adamo Morky, Luca Falesiedi, Inch the Kid, Marco Gallini, Brome 732, Rash, Mr S and Jato.

BOLO. “Partisan Coot”. ARTU Fest. Molinella, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
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Alessio Bolognesi and a Whale Swimming in Garbage

Alessio Bolognesi and a Whale Swimming in Garbage

September 18, 2019

“I chose whales because despite of their size, so many are found on our beaches with the stomach full of plastic,” says Alessio Bolognesi about this new mural for the ST.ART festival in Italy. “It’s a symbol, in my mind, of how even the huge animals are so powerless.”

Alessio Bolognesi. “Whales in the waste“. ST.ART. Vicenza, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

The image of large seafaring creatures washing up on shore starved of nutrition and bloated with plastic is becoming more common as we continue to poison ourselves and the world. Not surprisingly, similar images are also popping up in Street Art in other locations.

Alessio Bolognesi. “Whales in the waste“. ST.ART. Vicenza, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)

Originally from Ferrara in the north of Italy, the 3D graphic designer also once belonged to a graffiti crew as a kid, and he now balances professional design work with an increasing number of mural painting opportunities. Here in Provincia di Vicenza (Veneto region), he says he chose a whale drowning in plastic for this secondary school façade. But he didn’t want to be completely didactic, preferring to let the viewer make the connections themselves.

“I like to paint murals with a ‘multi-layer’ reading approach,” he explains. “You can look to the mural and just see the obvious image or you can try to go deeper and capture some more meaningful detail.”

Alessio Bolognesi. “Whales in the waste“. ST.ART. Vicenza, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
Alessio Bolognesi. “Whales in the waste“. ST.ART. Vicenza, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
Alessio Bolognesi. “Whales in the waste“. ST.ART. Vicenza, Italy. (photo courtesy of the artist)
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