the street is our gallery

OZMO has created a new mural on the facade of Instituto Comprensivo delle Albisole. Albisola once again confirms itself as a city that welcomes contemporary art.The project was ideated by the Councillor for Culture and Education Simona Poggi and was realized with the contribution of the Fondazione A. De Mari. Over the years, in fact, the Ligurian town has been a privileged meeting place between tradition and avant-garde, a fundamental destination for many famous artists of the twentieth century.

For OZMO, this is the first work on the wall of a school building in Europe, which among other things houses in its premises the only italian municipal school of ceramics .

Combining the suggestions arising during the elaboration of the mural with meanings and images inscribed in the context, the artist created an authentically site specific work.

In “.. Back to school, Mickey Mouse!”, this is the title of the work, OZMO re-interprets a pharmaceutical vase of the Ligurian tradition. The characteristic white-blu style, which has made the city of Albisola famous all over the world, is faithfully maintained, while the original composition leaves room for a scene that evokes the pursuit of knowledge.

The classical sculpture of a woman, which is absorbed in reading, is depicted between two putti. On its left, the Verrocchio’s one seems reaching out to grab something and by its pose it encourages to look at multiple viewpoints; on its right, the Canova’s one takes the appearance of a Mickey Mouse with an unusual smile, causing wonder and estrangement.

The combination of artworks and elements that create short circuits and ambivalent readings has always characterized the research and production of OZMO. This is one of the ways through which the artist interrogates us and questions the images themselves.

‘Working in Albisola, a place historically linked to the passage of national and international masters has been an honor for me. It was stimulating to have had the opportunity to create works under the gaze of the children . after an initial shyness, there was a great deal of involvement with a lot of questions’ says the artist.

‘Albisola now has a new piece of public art, an Opera that artistically redefines the facade and the spaces of the school. Ozmo’s artistic intervention also left an exciting formative experience to all the students who had the opportunity to observe his creative practice and to discuss with him ‘ declares the Councilor Simona Poggi.

Read our interview with OZMO here.