Bologna freight terminal becomes open-air urban art museum

Prologis, an American logistics company, has commissioned four urban artists to transform the Bologna freight terminal (interporto) into an open-air museum. Under the artistic direction of Enrico Sironi (HEMO), the project is part of a broader initiative that began in 2021 in the parks of Lodi and Romentino. The artworks, including a 2,000-square-meter piece titled 'Panorama vibrante'—the largest ever created in Italy—were unveiled during a roundtable at MAMbo titled 'L'Urban Art e la Rigenerazione dei Luoghi,' which explored the role of urban art in bridging social divides in Bologna, historically considered the cradle of the movement. The artists involved are Moneyless, Etnik, Zed1, and Joys, each with over 25 years of experience, working in styles ranging from figurative to abstract to graffuturism. The project aims to improve the work environment for employees and open a new art space to the city, featuring sports fields, paths, and relaxation areas alongside the murals. Prologis country manager Sandro Innocenti expressed hope that this example of corporate patronage would inspire others to create a permanent open-air urban art museum.