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Bruno Fabriani al festival Youth in Arts 2010 / Bruno Fabriani at Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting Festival 2010

 

By Bruno Fabriani

 

"Conclusa la mia avventura in California a San Rafael per la manifestazione annuale di Italian Streetpainting – Bella Terra. Ringrazio gli Organizzatori che mi hanno invitato come artista affermato, la Signora Laurie Vermont, Miko Lee, Sue Carlomagno e lo Staff tutto. Ringrazio gli Sponsor: Ragghianti e L’Istituto di Cultura Italiana di San Francisco."

"Questa mia seconda volta a San Rafael è stata fantastica, ho conosciuto nuovi amici artisti e reincontrato vecchi amici come Tracy Stum, Cecelia Linayao, Mark Cummings etcc…

 

Il mio lavoro rappresentava la Bella Terra dal punto di vista Italiano. Ho unito, due autori del Futurismo Italiano e Siciliano di quel periodo, D’Anna e Rizzo.  L’opera raffigurava il Nord (colori freddi) e il Sud (colori caldi), inseriti i quattro elementi presenti in natura, acqua, fuoco, aria e terra."

 

 

"Organizzazione impeccabile, gentilezza e disponibilità ovunque, ecco perché io amo la terra di California –USA  e il suo popolo. Per me è la terza esperienza come madonnaro e posso ritenermi fortunato, ad aver conosciuto tanti artisti. Spero di aver portato un tocco di Italianità e lo stile semplice di noi Madonnari di Grazie e del CCAM, di cui faccio parte. Grazie ancora per tutto. Spero tra due anni di ritornare e magari con altri Madonnari del CCAM.di cui faccio parte."

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"My adventure ended in California in San Rafael for the annual exhibition of Italian street painting - Bella Terra. I thank the organizers who have invited me as an artist: Mrs. Laurie Vermont, Miko Lee, Sue Carlomagno and Youth in Arts staff. I thank the sponsors: Ragghianti and The Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. This is my second time in San Rafael and it was fantastic. I have new friends again and I met old friends and artists like Tracy Stum, Cecelia Linayao, Mark Cummings, etc. "

 

 

"My job was to draw the Bella Terra from the Italian point of view. I street painted the style of the two authors of the Sicilian and Italian Futurism of that time, D'Anna and Rizzo. The work depicted the North (cool colors) and South (warm colors), and included the four elements in nature, which are water, fire, air and earth.

 

Impeccable organization, kindness and availability everywhere, that's why I love the land of California - USA and its people. This is my third experience as a pavement artist in the USA and I can consider myself lucky to have met so many artists. I hope I have brought a touch of Italian and simple style of the Madonnari of Grazie and the CCAM, to which I belong. Thanks again for everything. I hope in two years to return and maybe the other Madonnari of CCAM can participate also."

 

Call for Street Painters -12th Concorso Internazionale dei Madonnari di Nocera Superiore

The 12th Concorso Internazionale dei Madonnari di Nocera Superiore in Salerno, Italy, will be this May. There are still a few spots available for interested street painters who want to participate in this international competition alongside some of the world's finest street painters!

 

Tomo Saito's winning street painting at Concorso Internazionale dei Madonnari di Nocera Superiore in 2007.

  

Dates: May 14 & 15, 2010

Schedule: artists start at 7pm on May 14 & finish by 12am on May 15

Food & Board: stipend provided from May 13-16

Subject: Sacred/Religious Art

Size: 3 meters by 3 meters (or smaller)

Prizes:

1st Official Jury Prize - 500 Euro

2nd Official Jury Prize - 250 Euro

 

1st popular Jury Prize - 500 Euro

2nd popular Jury Prize - 250 Euro

 

For more information, please visit the Concorso Madonnari website and click on the 'Contatti' (contact)tab. 

 

Bruno Fabriani's street painting at Concorso Internazionale dei Madonnari di Nocera Superiore in 2008.
 

The Last of the Original Madonnari...Toto de Angelis aka Straccetto

At Blog Now on streetpainting.tv, we love hearing about the history (old and newer) of the art form and the artists involved.  Mille grazie to our fellow street painter, Bruno Fabriani, for sending us his thoughts and photos of his good friend Straccetto.

Straccetto and Bruno Fabriani. 

He is the last of the true and original Madonnari.  His name is Toto de Angelis alias "Straccetto" of Rome, Italy.  In Italian, straccetto means "one with a torn suit".  Toto is a true itinerant street painter...someone who travels from town to town to create his art work.  Street painting is his way of life.  When the weather is good for street painting, Toto travels to the plazas of many Italian cities. He takes his wooden cart and his two dogs with him. He draws in the town squares, he draws for parties, festivals and Italian exhibitions. When it is winter, and too cold and inclement to street paint, he sells pouches of lavender to make money.

You can always find Straccetto street painting at the International Festival in Grazie (Mantua, Italy) every August.  That's where we first saw him street painting...at Grazie in 1999.  We did not speak Italian and he did not speak English, so we just watched him, along with his own fan club of younger artists, as he created a very colorful and unique street painting.  He is the last of the true Madonnari.

 
Editor's Note: Although street painting dates back a few centuries, the events of World War II displaced the Madonnari of that time. The world was too chaotic and unsafe for artists to be out drawing on the streets in Europe. The art form of street painting almost died out, but in 1972 the start of the Grazie di Curtatone Festival got the last remaining itinerant artists together to share their art form with a new generation of artists.  Straccetto was one of those younger artists, who has since carried on the art form as a Madonnari or street painter.

Bruno Fabriani and Toto de Angelis aka Straccetto.

Madonnari from Verona, Italy, teaching children how to draw with chalk

The CCAM Group of Italian Madonnari from Verona, Italy, participated in an event with local school children to show them different art techniques.  Street painters Bruno Fabriani, Valentina Sforzini, Selica Trippini, among other Maestri, were on hand to demonstrate how they work with chalk. Bruno is pictured below, drawing the head of the Delphic Sibyl (original by Michelangelo).

 

The following article comes from the 'Arte su Piazza' website out of Verona, Italy:

"Arte su Piazza" diventa scuola. La quarta edizione dell'evento ideato da Ferrari BK diventa manifestazione del Comune di Verona

Divisi in gruppi e disposti in cerchio attorno ad un Maestro Madonnaro, gli alunni delle scuole medie hanno sperimentato le tecniche del disegno col gessetto: tratteggiare, sfumare il colore, soffiare via. La quarta edizione di Arte su Piazza è iniziata così, sotto la prestigiosa Loggia di Fra' Giocondo, che a metà di un mattino allegro nonostante il cielo grigio, si è riempita di ragazzi attenti e coinvolti dall'arte dei Maestri del Centro Culturale Madonnari di Mantova.

Presente e partecipe l'assessore all'istruzione Alberto Benetti che quest'anno, visto il successo e il valore educativo e artistico delle edizioni precedenti, ha voluto accogliere Arte su Piazza come evento di attività didattica ufficiale del Comune di Verona. Il suo assessorato si è fatto carico, infatti, dell'organizzazione della giornata. Un riconoscimento importante per Ferrari Bk, che ha ideato e sempre sostenuto Arte su Piazza come evento artistico culturale rivolto a tutta la cittadinanza e attento all'infanzia.

Nel pomeriggio, tornati a scuola gli alunni delle scuole medie dell'istituto "Don Bosco" e della scuola "Aldo Fedeli", l'esibizione dei Maestri Madonnari si è spostata nell'antistante Piazza dei Signori, catalizzando come ogni anno l'attenzione dei passanti. Hanno disegnato veri e propri capolavori, sotto gli occhi curiosi di chi, fermatosi, si attardava per vedere l'opera completarsi. E grazie a questi artisti, nonostante il cielo ancora plumbeo, in Piazza è arrivato un po' di sole. E poi i bambini, con tutta la loro gioia, hanno disegnato e colorato sul cartoncino che poi hanno voluto arrotolare e portarsi a casa. Un piccolo cartoncino con dentro il loro disegno. E non solo: anche la bellezza di un pomeriggio raro e un po' d'arte. Forse anche un piccolo seme che, chissà, magari germoglierà domani.

'Viva La Patria' Exhibition at Festival Bella Via, Monterrey, Mexico - 2009

This year at Festival Bella Via in Monterrey, Mexico, the theme was 'Viva la Patria' and it was celebrated with a street painting tribute to 9 heroes of the Mexican Independence (1810) and Revolution (1910).  Next year marks the 200th anniversary of the Mexico's Independence from Spain and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. 

Madonnari from the US, Italy and Mexico street painted portraits of these heroes in the exhibition area of the festival.  Tracy Lee Stum (US) was the artistic consultant for the exhibition.

1810 INDEPENDENCE HEROES:

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

 
VIVA EL CURA HIDALGO! Street painting by Maestra Madonnara Tracy Lee Stum (US), assistants Marina Escamilla and Andrea Ramos.

Fray Servando Teresa de Mier

 
VIVA EL PADRE MIER! Street painting by Qualificati Madonnara Alba Rosa Amezcua, assistants Carlos Anaya and Claudia Priscila Barbosa.

Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez

VIVA LA CORREGIDORA! Street painting by Maestra Madonnara Selica Trippini (Italy), assistants Miguel Solis, Maria Adriana Rodriguez, and Alejandra Molina.

Jose Maria Morelos Y Pavon

 

VIVA MORELOS!  Street painting by Qualificati Madonnari Adriana Garcia, assistants Rosyna Hernandez, Beatiz H. Montano, and Itzel Suarez.

Juan Ignacio Ramon

VIVA JUAN IGNACIO RAMON!  Street painting by Qualificati Madonnaro Emir Guerrero, assistants Adrian Trevino and Dayana Escamilla.

1910 REVOLUTION HEROES:

Francisco Villa

VIVA VILLA! Street painting by Qualificati Madonnaro Valentino Salas, assistants Alejandro Cavazos, Eduardo Ramirez and Veronica Garcia. 

Emiliano Zapata

 
 
 VIVA ZAPATA! Street painting by Qualificati Madonnaro Juandres Vera, assistants Marisol Antillon, and Laura Carolina Valenzuela.

Soldadera  

VIVA SOLDADERA! Street painting by Qualificati Madonnaro Carlos Hunberto Garcia, assistants Javier Guillen and Alejandra Gutierrez.

Pablo Gonzalez Garza
 
  VIVA PABLO GONZALEZ! Street painting by Qualificati Madonnara Valentina Sforzini (Italy), assistants Maria Miron and Michelle Arrollo.

Actors dressed as the heroes in the exhibition street paintings.  

Some of the Exhibition Madonnari taking a short break. Lto R: Juandres, Adriana, Rosyna, Alba (standing), Valentina, Carlos, Selica.

Night photo of many of the Exhibition Madonnari and Festival Director Rosy Loyola posing by the Pablo Gonzalez street painting. L to R seated: Rosy, Emir, Alba, Tracy, Valentino, Adriana, Carlos, Marisol and Juandres.

Talent at Tarmassia, Italy - a Demonstration by Seven Madonnari

Seven Madonnari of the CCAM Buscoldo from Mantua, Italy, were invited to draw in a demonstration in Tarmassìa, Italy, which is near Verona.  Their art was created with chalk pastel on paper or board for the September 13^th event.  Since the demonstration has ended, the individual artworks have been placed in prominent places around the town so many people can enjoy the beautiful work!

 

The Madonnari who participated were:

Maestra: Mariangela Cappa, Vera Bugatti

Madonnari Qualificati: Luigi Legno, Fabio Fedele, Andrea Libratti

Madonnari Semplici: Bruno Fabriani and Giusy Abbatista 

Above: The winner of the demonstration, the Maestra Mariangela Cappa, drew a detail of the La Pietà by Michelangelo. Her artwork was placed in the church of Tarmassìa.

Above: Maestra Vera Bugatti's artwork.

Above: Madonnari Qualificati Luigi Legno's artwork.

Above: Madonnari Qualificati Fabio Fedele's artwork.

Above: Madonnari Qualificati Andrea Libratti's artwork.

Above: Madonnari Semplici Bruno Fabriani's artwork.

Above: Madonnari Semplici Giusy Abbatista's artwork.

Group photo of all seven pieces by the CCAM Madonnari at Tarmassia, Italy.  Bravo!!

Madonnara Valentina Sforzini at Colours of Valkenburg in the Netherlands

 

Right after the Grazie festival, Italian Madonnara Valentina Sforzini headed over the the Netherlands for the Colours of Valkenburg Festival on August 22nd & 23rd.  This was the festival's second year, with around 40 participants competing from Italy, Germany, the USA, Australia, and of course the Netherlands.

There were 2 groups, free style and reproductions.  Valentina participated in the free style category, street painting an image of herself with her cousin.  The photo that inspired the street painting was taken at Grazie, the day after the Italian competition.  Valentina told us that this is the first time she has done a self-portrait.  She said it felt strange, drawing in her own face, but many people recognized her as she worked and enjoyed it.  When I asked if her little cousin has ever street painted, she told me that she is only 5 years old, but yes, she has done some drawings in the kids' sections at different festivals.  Valentina hopes that they can create a street painting together some day! 

Fabulous Finishes by Madonnari at Grazie, Italy!

Fabulous finishes by madonnari at Grazie, Italy!  Photos courtesy of Bruno Fabriani.

Street painting by Bruno Fabriani (Verona, Italy) - 'The Sound of the Angel', original by A.W. Bouguereau

Street painting by Maestra Michela Bogini (Italy)

Editor's Note: The coins you see on some of the street paintings were placed there by the public as a token of appreciation for the artwork.  This is customary in several parts of Europe as this is how the original madonnari made their living.

  Street painting by Maestro Tomo Saito (Japan)

Street painting by Maestro Fedderico Pillan (Italy)

  

 

Street painting by Juandres Vera (Mexico)

Street painting by Alberto Forlenza. 

Editor's Note: The crocodile is symbolic of the actual crocodile that was suspended in the Grazie Church for several years. It was very large and captured in the river behind the church. I don't remember why they hung it in the church, but it was a site to see!

Madonnari Bruno Fabriani (left) and Toto De Angelis alias Straccetto (right), who is one of the last of the original Grazie madonnari!

Marvelous Madonnari Photos from Grazie, Italy - Part II

Here are more photos from Bruno Fabriani from the Grazie competition showing several street paintings in progress.  

Alba Rosa Amezcua Contreras working on her street painting (above)

 

Toto De Angelis' street painting in progress (above)

Valentina Sforzini blending chalk on her street painting (above)

Vera Bugatti working on her street painting (above)

Obazee Loveth using a small brush to blend the chalk (above)

 

 

Petra Bruni working on her street painting (above)

Bruno Fabriani works on his street painting as Valentina Sforzini takes a break and watches

Panorama of Grazie...the church is at the opposite end.  Street paintings in various stages of progress. 

Marvelous Madonnari Photos from Grazie, Italy - Part I

Special thanks to Bruno Fabriani for sending all of these wonderful photos from the 37th Annual Grazie di Curtatone Street Painting Compeition in Mantua, Italy.  We don't have names of all of the artists but will certainly mention the ones we do know.  Following are photos from Grazie showing the street paintings in progress...ENJOY!

 Bruno Fabriani at work on his street painting

Gabrielle Hudson Abbott working on her street painting

Luigi Legno's street painting in progress

Alberto Forlenza working on his street painting