Bologna: A Personal Journey Through Art, History, and Urban Life

In a personal essay on Artribune, Guido Incerti reflects on his decision to move to Bologna, describing the city as "bella ma non bellissima" (beautiful but not the most beautiful). He recounts formative art experiences, including seeing works by Capogrossi and Lucio Fontana at Arte Fiera, and a 1997 Andrea Pazienza exhibition at Palazzo Re Enzo. Incerti's move was prompted by a failed attempt to visit a David Bowie show at Mambo, leading to an exploration of the city's porticoes, churches, and canals. He highlights landmarks like the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, the Basilica of San Petronio, and Piazza Maggiore, where summer film screenings are curated by the Cineteca. Key architectural figures mentioned include Giuseppe Vaccaro, Enzo Zacchiroli, Giorgio Trebbi, Giuliano and Glauco Gresleri, Leone Pancaldi, and Kenzo Tange (designer of the fair's metabolist towers). The essay also references the urban planning of Pier Giorgio Cervellati, the 1920 fascist assault on Palazzo d'Accursio led by Leandro Arpinati, and the historical presence of Charles V and poets Leopardi and Carducci. Palazzo Bentivoglio is noted as an unconventional art space hosting archives and installations thanks to a patron. Incerti concludes by acknowledging Pasolini's praise of Bologna as the second most beautiful city in Italy after Venice.