Giulio Alvigini Satirizes the Art World in Prato Exhibition

Giulio Alvigini (born 1995 in Tortona) presents a solo exhibition at BBSpro in Prato, curated by Davide Sarchioni in collaboration with TerraMedia. The show humorously critiques the contemporary art system through a circular installation that functions as a comedy without escape. Alvigini targets three groups: artists, art workers, and collectors. A flag bearing Pellizza da Volpedo's 'Il Quarto Stato' with the slogan 'art workers=artworks' unites artists as a new social class. A construction-style gate with a 'no entry' sign for non-art workers separates the exhibition space from the studio offices. Collectors are mocked with the Cartesian motto 'colleziono dunque sono' (I collect therefore I am) and a wallpaper-covered wall spray-painted with 'L'arte è carta da parati per ricchi' (Art is wallpaper for the rich, 2024). Alvigini, known for his social media account @makeitalianartgreatagain, creates memes that ironize the contemporary art world. The exhibition reflects on the concept of 'opera-carriera' (career-as-artwork) and the self-referential nature of the art system, quoting Max Collini and Paolo Sorrentino's film 'La Grande Bellezza'.