Mrfijodor: Street artist and co-founder of Il Cerchio E Le Gocce

Mrfijodor, pseudonym of Fijodor Benzo, is a Turin-based street artist and co-founder of the cultural association Il Cerchio E Le Gocce, which since 2001 has promoted underground cultures, street art, and graffiti writing. Born in Liguria, he began drawing as a child with LEGO and on his bedroom walls, and has been active in graffiti since 1994. His work spans installations, thematic murals, performances, and graffiti, characterized by elementary forms carrying direct, ironic messages with social or ecological critique. In the late 1990s he formed crews MDL and ADC with friends. He moved to Turin in 2004, drawn by friends and the city's post-industrial energy. Through Il Cerchio E Le Gocce, he coordinates workshops and projects like MurArte, a municipal initiative for high school students. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the association organized the charity auction #urbanartistpertorino raising nearly €9,000 for Turin hospitals, and launched #COLORAVIRUS with Caravan SetUp, collecting 150 drawings from 80 artists into a printable booklet. Mrfijodor prefers the term 'graffitaro' for its raw, derogatory edge, and distinguishes street art from contemporary muralism. He believes the artist's role is self-expression, while curators act as creative containers for artists. He predicts institutional street art may increase post-pandemic as municipalities seek safe public engagement.