Art adventures in Bologna, Italy.
Just back from Bologna. I was there showing work for Magda Danysz Gallery at Arte Fiera. I think there were about 200 galleries from all over the world represented in the fair. Most of the work I saw fits within the generic "fine art" genre. Lots of abstract paintings, sculpture, videos, installations, etc. As a "street artist", my work definately stood out. I really have to thank Magda for fronting the whole trip, and having the courage to shake up the "established" art world a little. It was a great success in my mind. I met lots of influential artworld people, collectors, fans, and fellow artists. I also did about 6 interviews for magazines and newspapers. I was even on a local TV news program. It was great to get such positive feedback from so many fair patrons and the media. Here's some photos of the space.

I rendered the text on the wall over the course of 3 days.

I did the whole wall with Posca paint pens. None of it was premeditated. Just a manifestation of the madness of my moment-to-moment thought processes.

From the local paper.

This is Paulo and I. He owns Drago Publishing in Italy. He published the "Muerte" book.

This is the flyer for the book signing and party he organized. Thanks, Paulo!

Lots of fans came to get their books signed. Loved this guy's Holga.

While I worked on the wall drawing before the show opened, Magda's assistant Silvia got me snacked up on these Gran Pavesi.

The Moretti's were flowing too, although I definately drank a lot more Peroni.

Pink Panther Pizza hit the spot too.

Honestly, I wasn't interested in much of the work in the fair. I did LOVE this golden Buddha. I was especially stoked to see Buddha as a woman! Awesome.

Loved this illustration too. Super radness.

I stayed in a rented apartment on this street in Bologna.

In the mornings, I'd hang out on the patio drinking instant decaf and tripping out on how old the architecture was.

Around 11am, I'd head out for pizza. I ate pizza every day. The last day, it's all I ate. It's bomb, as you'd expect. Along the journey to my favorite lunch spot, I'd walk down this portico. The whole old city of Bologna is designed with these covered sidewalks. If it's raining or snowing, you're chillin'. So smart. Also, check out the ceiling. It's decked out with paintings. Walking around Bologna was like being in a living museum. Incredible.

Although I didn't smoke any grass in Italy, it was great to see this pro-cannabis tilework in the sidewalk every day.

I thought this elevated crypt was pretty fresh. There were more scattered all over the city.

Loved the facades, especially this one near the Piazza Maggiore.

I couldn't believe the sheer volume of incredibly crafted architecture and frescos.

Such great public art. I love flying baby heads.

I'm a big fan of sexy mermaids shooting fountains of water out of their tits too.

Don't fuck with the Pope!

There were lots of reminders of the horrors of World War II, like this wall of tile memorials.

Saw a few of these charcoal sketches mixed with the usual street graffiti. I liked it.

Everyday I walked past this fish vendor.

Great fresh vegetables at the next vendor.

Pasta, pasta, pasta!

I drank a lot of wine. Really good wine.

Great window displays.

Is it me, or did sound equipment really look a lot cooler back in the day?

I love the style and colors on the traditional pottery.

I wasn't so fond of all the Italian ladies in fur coats. To each his or her own though.

Lunch. Everyday. Two thick squares of Italian hotness. I thought it was strange that when I ordered two slices, they would serve it to me like this. It's like a Cheese on Cheese crime, but I got used to it without difficulty.

While I waited for the bus to the fair, with aforementioned delicious pizza in hand, I'd photograph cyclists, my heart burning with envy.

Love the Euro style. Can't wait to be a permanent part of it.

This is Donatello. I had my first real Italian dinner at his restaurant. Photographs of famous patrons adorned the walls. I love that shit. The food was fantastic.

Rufus and I finished off our meal with lemon sorbetto. It was simply one of the best things I've ever had in my mouth.

We went back a few nights later, and I had the gnocchi. I was in Carb Heaven.

And the gelato was without question the best I've ever had.

Last Friday night, I had dinner with Bacchus at Restaurante Rodrigo. Highly recommended.

This is Magda and I parading as some famous Euro art collectors after dinner at Rodrigo.

Europeans regard Bologna as a capital of fine cuisine. Unfortunately for me, the specialty is meat, and lots of it. When this prosciutto platter came out, I headed for the beer.

For my last meal in Bologna, I ate yet another pizza. I really never got tired of it. That's my "vegetariano" pizza in the foreground. Jesus, I miss it already.

On Friday morning, I walked around to catch some sights. Found this old Roman wall, a vestige of the original city wall. Looks like they weren't fucking around. Tough times.

Found this sculpture next to a legal graffiti spot. Dope.

I seriously think I could push this van over all by myself. Smaller is better, I say.

"Dead Cops". Whoa.

The main train station.

Next time I'll be arriving at this station with bike in hand.

This bike shop was a few doors down from my apartment. Of course, since it was lunchtime, it was closed. Most businesses are closed from 12:30 to 3pm. Everybody goes to lunch and chills out. Sounds good to me, although it did suck if you really needed something before 3:00.

On Saturday morning, I went out to find a bike shop that was open. Found one, and rolled out with some traditional French cruiser bars, which I've already modified for my track bike. I love the smell of old bike shops. And the older fellow that owned and operated the store was super cool. He only sold traditional European street bicycles. The track bike craze hasn't hit Bologne yet. Yet.

There were great posters and cards on the walls.

Dirty fucking Italians. Matching tires and swimsuits? Sick.

Classic.

This framing shop is pretty classic too. It was great to see so many old tools still being used.

On Saturday night, I met a friend from Milan at a video and music festival in a fucking ancient building. Super sick. This artist from Japan was playing a drumset that set off a video display of kung-fu movies and weird Japanese commercials. Fucking bananas.

Spotted this rad old cigarette machine on the walk home.

I'll conclude with this shot of Silvia and Magda and I outside Disco D'Oro (Bologna's best music shop and host of the Drago party), on my last night in town. Thanks for making the trip happen for me, ladies. We gotta do it again sometime. (No comments, please.)

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