Mutonia artistic park in Santarcangelo di Romagna faces demolition

In the mid-1980s, Joe Rush and Robin Cooke, along with Alan P Scott and Joshua Bowler, established the Mutoid Waste Company at London's Car Breaker Gallery, where they crafted large-scale pieces from industrial refuse. The collective, known for its nomadic lifestyle, transitioned from London to Berlin before settling in Santarcangelo di Romagna in the 1990s, where they founded Mutonia. In 2013, they faced eviction due to illegal housing, prompting the city to propose a protective urban plan. However, over ten years later, the Council of State deemed this plan invalid, permitting demolition. A letter supporting Mutonia, signed by various artistic directors, including Antonio Attisani and Silvia Bottiroli, highlights the cultural significance at stake. A solidarity screening of "Hometown Mutonia" by ZimmerFrei will occur on February 26, 2025, featuring Mayor Filippo Sacchetti and resident Andy MacFarlane.