Italian artist Fabio Petani was recently In Force, Italy in occasion of the renovation of the Italian Red Cross’s facility in town for which he completely revitalized the structure through his unique style. This significant undertaking not only aims to elevate the visual charm of the building, but also seeks to enhance its practicality and welcoming atmosphere for the community.
The new work was unveiled on June 14th and included the participation of distinguished institutional dignitaries and delegates from the Italian Red Cross. The event highlighted Petani’s artistic contributions, illustrating his adept fusion of artistic expression and societal engagement.
Petani’s mural seamlessly blends with its environment in both color and form. The primary design, sprawling over every facet, abstractly depicts the Marche region‘s scenery. Certain areas reveal the landscape in vivid detail, complete with pastoral vistas and botanical intricacies, radiating sophistication and finesse.
The facade features Petani’s unique take on Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Third Paradise”, re-imagining the Italian Red Cross emblem as a botanical motif. The emblem, a fusion of a ring and a red cross within a circle, is augmented by the Sulla Coronaria flower set against an abstract representation of the Marche backdrop. This interplay of Petani’s artistry with the Third Paradise concept delves into the interconnection of nature and sustainability via artistic means.
On the adjacent wall, a lifelike portrayal of foliage stretches into the expanse, and to the right, an abstract representation of the sun stands as a symbol of nature’s life force, imparting a message of peace and balance. The circle, a motif that recurs throughout Petani’s piece, with its smooth, cornerless form, communicates a sense of tranquility and balance, inviting the observer to experience a sense of inner peace.
About the artist
Born in Pinerolo, Turin, Petani earned a Masters degree in Cultural Heritage Studies from the University of Turin and wrote his M.A. thesis on Urban Art & Street Culture. The research for his thesis allowed him to connect with the art scene in Turin, which he soon became a part of, by eventually becoming an artist himself.
His work focuses on the places he visits from which he draws his inspiration. Although he hasn’t ever attended art school, he has always been interested in abstract art, becoming an important part of his ouvre and combining symbolism and abstraction. Chemical elements, plants and geometry give shape to extraordinary pieces with a direct link to the environment, the space or the territory where the murals has been made.
Author: Fran
Founder and editor of Urbanite. Street Art lover who after the finishing her MA thesis on the Mexican and Norwegian muralist movement in the 1920-50s, developed a fascination for street art and graffiti that eventually led to collaborations with different art blogs, including the creation of this one.
