A flock of sparrows, a bale of turtles: animals are roaming the streets of Siena. But there’s no need to worry: the colourful critters are the work of Biella-based Cracking Art collective, known for its sculptures fashioned from recycled plastic. The collective is internationally famous after coming onto the contemporary art scene in 1993.
For the exhibition, part of the Comune’s ongoing Siena: Capital of Italian Culture initiative, store owners around town have ‘adopted’ one or more of the sculptures, displaying them in their shop windows. In addition, there are large installations in the Medici fortress, in the memorial park (by the fountain of San Prospero) and in front of the church of San Domenico.
The sculptures will be on display until October 31. Their purpose is not only to delight but, with the exhibition tagline ‘Art that regenerates,’ to raise awareness of sustainability issues, a common theme for the eco-conscious Cracking Art collective. Mara Boscarini, chair of the Gioca con l’arte committee behind the initiative, commented that ‘this exhibition is particularly meaningful because it’s shared, it’s participatory.’
