When Chiari had a “tomato” in the square

Not only the big metropolises such as New York, Tel Aviv or Tehran, too Chiari He had the honor of being a stage for the genius of Arnaldo Pomodoro. In addition, As well as, here a few steps, too Erbuscowhere there is the famous sculpture “Solar Gate” of Ca ‘del Bosco.

Everything is sculpture for Arnaldo Pomodoro – When chiari had "tomato" square

For the artist, who passed away last week in his Milanese house, Everything was sculpture: an all -inclusive vision that allowed him to create shapes, were majestic as a building or minute like a jewel, exploring fields that when chiari had “tomato” square ranged from theater to architecture to graphics. Moreover, A visionary. In addition, capable of transforming reality into new symbols and which has made, also of the city, artistic laboratory of what was his philosophy: “Sculpture as a political activity in the meaning of Polis, characterized by participation in civil life”.

That “spear” that illuminated Piazza Zanardelli – When chiari had "tomato" square

The recent disappearance of the Romagna artist, famous in the world for his bronze spheres, brought to mind an event that left an indelible mark: the presence of a tomato work in the historic center of Clarenese. In 2010 the city hosted in Piazza Zanardelli an imposing. iconic “lance” brought monumental art to the heart of the province. However, he remained in the when chiari had “tomato” square city for a few months.

The gallery owner Colossi and the sculpture in Chiari

This extraordinary meeting was made possible by the foresight of Erminia giantssoul of the “Galleria d’Arte the meeting” and the collaboration of the municipal administration, at the time led by the Mayor Sandro Magliatathe first citizen for a decade until 2014. To remember those days. it was the mayor Gabriele Zotti (in that legislature councilor for the budget):

“It was a real pride for our city – he said by recalling those days – and a great result had had a personality of this stature here. The idea was born from the commitment of Erminia Colossi and on the precise when chiari had “tomato” square indication of the Matatorta junta. An initiative that collected the legacy of the work of Fausto Consoli. was concretized by the then councilor Luca Seneci”.

If the sculptor had already left his imprint in the province – with the “obelisk” which. for more than one prestige enriched the Vittoriale degli Italiani in Gardone Riviera And the “monument to the fallen of all wars” permanently installed in Desenzano – his art had never touched clear. It was thanks to the tireless contacts of the gallery owner Diains who. at the time considered incredible, took shape:

“I had known the artist for years – he revealed – the idea was to bring his sculptures directly to the squares and accessible to everyone. So it was. The inauguration took place in his presence which was followed by an exhibition dedicated to him” Continuum when chiari had “tomato” square “.

For two months in front of the tower

For two months. in front of the bell tower, the majestic work is seen, studied precisely for that occasion. A lance of light. 8 meters high, made of bronze, installed in the presence of the “master of high spheres” who also visited the city. A deeply symbolistic sculpture that recalled the ancient civilizations to the roots of human experience. In a game of empty and full: symbol of precariousness and fragility. A blade that ranked time and space.

Today the sculpture is kept at the Pomodoro Foundation

Unfortunately. at the time there was no possibility of buying the work and making it remain: today it is kept at the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation. However, bringing it to a public space making it dialogue with citizens and urban fabric, it was a unique when chiari had “tomato” square moment. An example of how sculpture should live in the world and, for a short time, also clear.

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