OTTO STREET ARTIST REINTERPRET TOH, THE WORK OF NICOLA RUSSO FOR THE CITY OF TURIN

• The eight works – collected in the HOT Vol. 1 exhibition – will be exhibited from 2 to 16 November at the Domus Lascaris open air gallery, inaugurated by the Gruppo Building as part of Contemporaryart Torino Piemonte. The artist’s original TOH will also be exhibited in via Dellala, visible until November 30th.

• The eight works will then be auctioned for the Piedmontese Foundation for Cancer Research Onlus in Candiolo.

Turin 28 October 2021 – On the occasion of Contemporaryart Torino Piemonte, eight Turin street artists reinterpret the work TOH by the artist Nicola Russo, a tribute to the iconic torèt fountain, symbol of the city of Turin. Max Petrone, Alice Arduino, Gec Art, Rawtella, Arteria Palma, Nicolò Canova, Halo Halo and Jins will freely re-propose Russo’s work, reworking it with free technique and thus giving it new life. The eight works, gathered in the HOT Vol. 1 exhibition, will be exhibited from 2 (opening at 18.30) to 16 November at the Domus Lascaris open air gallery, inaugurated by the Gruppo Building. Together with the eight works there will also be the artist’s original TOH, on display in the pedestrian section of Via Dellala.

In mid-November, the works will be auctioned within the Paratissima spaces: part of the proceeds (40%) will be donated to the Piedmontese Foundation for Cancer Research Onlus in Candiolo.

TOH is inspired by the urban element of public fountains and represents the city’s desire for rebirth after the long lockdown. A genetically POP work, recognizable by all, but also a manifesto of the new Turin that reacts, that is exposed to be reborn. This is demonstrated by the involvement of an important charity partner such as FPRC Onlus, chosen in order to give an additional social value to the artistic project, which is strongly rooted in the territory: it is no coincidence that the entire production chain is Piedmontese. In this way, the socio-economic fallout of the rebirth of which the project is the spokesperson will also materialize.

“I imagined his state of mind, closed in a fountain without being able to go out, a situation never like today and which was part of this terrible moment. So I identified with that bull, who, seeing his Turin lost by the crisis and looking for a new identity, decides to expose himself, to make a heroic gesture to give a sign of change. So I imagined it forcibly breaking the metal and coming out. Thus, with irony, he frees himself from the Turin understatement, leaves his “ home ” from that scheme, and exposes himself, presents himself to the city as it is, proud, showing all the imperfections common to each of us, ready to leave again and take a seat in the game to stimulate the rebirth of this city and beyond. An identity work ready to establish a dialogue with the city and people, which never leaves the past but which evolves to host the future ”explains the artist Nicola Russo.

“Public art has always characterized our architectural interventions and today, in inaugurating the new en plein air space of Domus Lascaris dedicated to art, we are thinking of citizens who will be able to discover a place that will periodically see the exhibition of new works. We also hope that the charitable action in favor of FPRC Onlus will gather the support of many as a sign of a new start. “ declares Piero Boffa, President of the Gruppo Building.

RAWTELLA

@rawtella

Title: “Contemporary turet: half empty or half full? “

Turin, in the center of Piedmont and its Alps, is historically characterized by a great abundance of water. All its inhabitants and visitors (as well as dogs, cats and pigeons) have at least once watered or refreshed themselves with the water of its turets that has been flowing incessantly for more than a century. In the near future, however, this wealth may not be so obvious: climate change puts our glaciers at risk and the pollution of the strata, our most precious asset.

ERMENEGILDO NILSON

@ermenegildonilson

Title: “AMEDEO MING”

As if it were a Ming vase, from the Savoia collection.

HALOHALO

@luigihalo

Title: “HOT”

A bull is strong and powerful so I got the urge to use a warm and bright color like red as a background to my bizarre plots / mechanisms / blunders. Toh is nice and meek and maybe hoT is his Halloween disguise. As if it were a Turet dispensing wine instead of water.

GECART

@gecartgec

Title: “DOMESTIC MINOTAUR”

Apart from the fact that the character, excluding the bull’s head, has the same physique as my characters. In this case the simple idea was to tell the back of the city, which continues to try to look strong, rigid and safe as a bull, but deep down it has already let itself go. A snapshot of this post-pandemic historical moment in which the bull is portrayed as if he were in smart-working, jacket and tie on top, underpants underneath. A minotaur that represents a collective sensation in which we all recognize ourselves, but we pretend to be just bull.

JINS©

@jins_land

Title: “THE INDISCRETE CHARM OF DEMOCRACY ©2021″

The “indiscreet charm of democracy” is the title of the work and the idea in question is represented through a sea full of fish; inside, the fish life swarms as if it were our daily life, made up of kisses, quarrels, laughter, fears and wounds. Big fish that eat the little ones, but also fish that passionately love each other. It is our reality and this is its charm.

ALICE ARDUINO

@inside.alice

Title: “TORET THE SUPERHERO”

We define heroes or heroines as people who with exceptional virtues and courage impose themselves on the admiration of others. We match the definition of superheroes to comic book characters who with extraordinary powers save lives and help others. But who are the modern heroes and heroines? In a world where injustices are manifold and where violence is increasingly evident, who embodies this figure? During the pandemic period we used this definition to describe the enterprises of doctors and health personnel for helping us in times of difficulty. But the world is full of heroes and heroines who are not always told. Activists and activists for lgbt + rights, for the environment, those who save migrants from boats or work against racism, lawyers and advocates who defend women victims of violence, educators and teachers who transmit values ​​and principles to students. This work is dedicated to all those who with their work, time, energy and volunteering help to improve the city and the world in which they live. The work represents Toretto, the superhero bull, the ensemble of heart, mind and soul, fundamental elements for the search for oneself, one’s morals and the right way forward. Being heroes and heroines, nowadays means making a commitment to create a welcoming world, a world suitable for everyone. Alice Arduino takes up the original idea of ​​the artist Nicola Russo, creator of “Toh” the chubby and nice young bull who, tired of living in a fountain, unhinges it and comes out, taking a piece of stone with him. Symbol of the rebirth of the City of Turin, “Toh” tries to rise from the difficult period of the pandemic and with courage, react. So do those who work for the right causes, without giving up.

NICOLO’ CANOVA

@nicolo_canova

Title: “GIULIANO”

The concept of “regeneration” implies in itself a continuous evolution, of oneself and of the surrounding environment. “Giuliano” becomes the symbol of this transformation, of a blank canvas that comes to life through experience, is tinged with the colors of the world, making them his own. The blue mask, the color of spirituality, transforms him into a universal creature, ready to get lost in a dynamic aesthetic.