Since the end of February 2016 Bologna, Italy, has a new exhibition space; the “Tripla”. It is an initiative of three students of the Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts), Bologna: Paolo Bufalini, Luca Bernardello and Filippo Cecconi. The municipality of Bologna entrusted three windows under the arcades of the prestigious “Via Indipendenza” to the young artists.
To be exact it is more a showcase than an exhibition space. Nevertheless, Paolo Bufalini stated that it’s a space without access, but open 24 hours 7 days a week. That is the advantage: in proximity to the central station and coach station, on the connecting street to the most important place of the city, the “Piazza Maggiore”, there are pedestrians during all day and all night.
What looks at first like another commercial showcase, reveals itself quickly like something very different. The currently presented artworks are characterised by their minimalism in contrast to the colourful and striking displays of the neighbouring shops. For hurrying passers-by that might not be an eye-catch, but for an attentive flâneur it can be mostly exiting to discover contemporary art in a new context. Moreover, the abutting shop keepers are happy that the former abandoned place has a new determination.
Currently on view is one artwork of each of the founders’ artists. With “Clessidra con magneti (n.2)” (Hourglass with magnets) Paolo Bufalini might astonish the spectator: in the traditional hourglass runs no sand, but two magnets are holding each other in tension. “Due zitelle” (Two maids) by Luca Bernardello is a more ephemeral art piece: two bananas are connected by a wire. The daily passersby can observe how the initially two “unmarried young girls” get to “old maids”. The moving plastic “bbaagg” by Filippo Cecconi creates the connection between the inner showcase and the street. Since the windows are going down to the ground, one might think that the plastic bag was carried inside from the street by the wind.
In two months’ time it is already the second exhibition round. So one should hurry to see it before it is replaced by new artworks. By the time it is planned to invite other artists, too. In consequence, the public will have the possibility to appreciate artworks during the day-to-day life. This is a good occasion to approach contemporary art to common people. We hope that “Tripla” will be a sustaining success.
Tripla
via Indipendenza 71 f/g/h
Bologna
http://cargocollective.com/tripla