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      “Graffiti Art in Prison” by Martha Cooper & David Mesguich in Florence, Italy

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      In the early days of 2021, a personal encounter with the prison system opened doors to a unique opportunity. Gabriella Cianciolo, a professor at the University of Cologne, extended an invitation to become a speaker in the interdisciplinary “Graffiti Art in Prison” project, aptly named GAP. Eagerly embracing the chance, our protagonist proposed taking the initiative a step further by organizing a workshop within the confines of Florence Sollicciano jail.Sollicciano prison, like many correctional facilities worldwide, exists in a shadowy space on the periphery between two municipalities – Florence and Scandicci. Isolated from the city, it becomes a place forgotten, much like those left behind its imposing walls. During this period, a serendipitous encounter with the renowned New York-based photographer Martha Cooper occurred in a train yard while our protagonist was engaged in graffiti work. seizing the opportunity, Martha was invited to document the entire transformative process within the jail from 2022 to 2023.Our idea was to place art at the center of a dialogue between the past and the present, between often-forgotten individuals and the possibilities of redemption through artistic expression, says David Mesguich.An intriguing aspect of the project is the involvement not only of inmates but also of prison guards. Thus, the project becomes a true social experiment that aimed to break down mental and cultural barriers.We saw surprising human connections emerge between guards and inmatesduring an experience that transcended simple artistic creation, says a representative from the prison administration involved in the project.Teaming up with Martha for an entire year, the project aimed to fulfill promises made to the participants. In collaboration with workshop attendees, 3D scans of volunteer inmates were created, with the intention of using these scans for later sculpting. Surprisingly, a respectful relationship between some guards and inmates emerged, leading to the inclusion of a few guards in the scanning process. After extensive negotiations with jail authorities, permission was granted to create two large-scale installations on the jail fence at different times during the year.Choosing to portray the two most discreet participants – a police woman and an inmate – without disclosing their identities, our protagonist highlighted the shared humanity within this unusual place. Despite relentless attempts by the jail’s police commander to thwart the installations, the team persevered, successfully setting them up on time. The second phase involved the creation of murals – three by inmates with complete artistic freedom, followed by nine more by our protagonist. The murals featured portraits and sentences from both guards and inmates, deliberately obscured to challenge preconceptions.This immersive journey unfolded as a beautiful human adventure, marked by workshops and murals conducted by Martha, inmates, and students from the GAP project. The enclosed photographs by Martha Cooper serve as the sole remnants of this monumental yet ephemeral project. Their significance lies in being witnesses to a moment when fences were crossed, and differences were temporarily erased – a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and create connections in unexpected placesCheck out below for more photos of the project. Photo Credits: Martha Cooper, David Mesguich More

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      Tellas x 2Bleene in Argentiera, Italy

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      Italian artist Tellas has just completed a new project in Argentiera, Sardinia, Italy. Entitled “FronteMare” this piece is a collaboration between Tellas, Puerto Rican artist 2Bleene and the architects from Landworks, who transformed a huge parking lot to a new area that works as a plaza and basket/pickleball.“FronteMare – Tellas says – wants to be like a mirror, a reflection of what is around the work itself. The nuances and gradations of the sea and vegetation, the mistral that blows fresh and strong, and the mining architecture, are the main three elements that give life to a composition that plays and interacts with the landscape”.Tellas has made an indelible mark on the street art world with his unique style and profound connection to nature.Growing up in a place (Sardinia, Italy) that is steeped in history and surrounded by lush landscapes, it’s no wonder that nature plays a central role in Tellas’s work. With a unique approach to nature-inspired art and an ability to seamlessly blend his work with the urban environment, Tellas’s art is characterized by its fluid and organic forms, often resembling the shapes and patterns found in nature. His work often features abstract representations of forests, trees, and plant life, and he is known for his use of earthy tones and natural materials. His style evokes a sense of tranquility and harmony, inviting viewers to connect with the natural world.One of the most remarkable aspects of Tellas’s work is his ability to adapt and integrate his art into the urban environment. He doesn’t impose his art on the city; instead, he collaborates with it. He carefully selects locations and surfaces that complement his style and make his pieces feel like they belong there, whether it’s on a decaying wall, a forgotten alleyway, or a crumbling building.2Bleene was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She describes her work as an expressive contemporary abstraction between her encounters with flowers/nature and her years of work as a graphic designer. Her process begins with documenting floral elements in her island and travels to then transform them into long lasting memories, color palettes and textures. Take a look at more images below and check back with us soon for more updates. More

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      “Come what may” by Beast Collective in Emilia, Italy

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      Here is the latest piece made by Beast Collective in Emilia, Italy. Entitled “Come what may”, the pasteup was placed on an old abandoned roadman’s house in the province of Bobbio in Northern Italy. As always with the pieces of this collective, there was the recovery of an archive photo of an historical figure, in this case of the Italian playwright Eduardo De Filippo, positioned on an abandoned building, signifying the eternity of this figure and its resistance to the passage of time. Their technique is to first photograph the wall they intend to install the piece on, superimposing the texture of the wall onto the photo, and then placing it onto the building. This allows them to achieve a realistic blending effect between the photo and the wall, following the scratches and cuts on the wall itself.“Eduardo De Filippo’s life and career – Beast says – were a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring influence of family heritage. His remarkable ability to capture the essence of human nature and portray it with authenticity has secured him a place in the pantheon of Italy’s greatest literary and theatrical figures. Eduardo’s works continue to inspire and move audiences, and his legacy remains a cherished part of Italy’s cultural heritage. As long as there are stages to be graced and stories to be told, Eduardo De Filippo’s impact on the world of theater and cinema will endure.”Take a look at more images below and check back with us soon for more updates. More

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      “Melody of the Soul” by Natalia Rak in Rome, Italy

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      Natalia Rak has created large-scale paintings since 2011, in the form of beautiful murals, commissioned from around the world. She has been focusing on female-centric imagery while using a rich and glowing palette, giving a breath of fresh air to the street art scene she is part of.In 2012 she received a degree from the Academy of Fine Arts of Łódz, where she further explored Art through its history, as well as discovering the work of classic and modern illustrators. In studying Natalia’s work you can recognize the influences from folklore tradition and fairy tales. The colours highlight the spiritual strength of these tales, giving them a surreal touch.Her art has been exhibited throughout Europe in cities such as Dusseldorf (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), and Strasbourg (France). Also, she has been featured in many group shows from all over the world and has participated in some of the most prestigious street art events, such as POW! WOW! (USA), Art Scape (Sweden), Mural Festival in Montreal (Canada), Blink(USA), Memorie Urbane (Italy). Her standout work for the Folk on the Street festival in Bialystok “Legend of the Giants” was included in the series “Sztuka Ulicy – Street Art” issued by the Polish Post.Natalia excels in a variety of media, from paper and canvas to brick and concrete, building a vast body of work filled with complex symbolism, different sort of allegories and profound love for Nature, that helps the observer to evade reality.A mural was made between the alleys of Rome, for the Street Art For Rights festival. The inspiration came from Agenda 2030-collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Rak’s artwork was inspired by the 15th one- “Life of land”. Focusing on managing forests sustainably, successfully fighting desertification and stopping biodiversity loss and driven by the extreme necessity for human beings to re-establish a deep connection with Nature.Take a look at more images below and check back with us soon for more updates. More