Neon reopens in Bologna as an empty space filled with ideas, not exhibitions

Gino Gianuizzi, founder of the historic Bologna art space Neon (active 1981–2011), announces its reopening during Arte Fiera 2026 (February 5–8) at Via San Donato 24/b. The new Neon will not host exhibitions, openings, or parties; instead, the space will remain empty, populated only by written and spoken words contributed by the public. Gianuizzi criticizes contemporary art as 'aphonic' and its ceremonial rituals as 'empty,' arguing art has become part of the entertainment system. Participants are invited to submit a short text (max one page) and an audio recording of themselves reading it by the end of January 2026. These contributions will be printed and played inside the space. Neon originally emerged from the 1977 protest movement as an 'utopian space' and was run by Gianuizzi with Francesca Alinovi and later Roberto Daolio. In 2022, MAMbo dedicated an exhibition to Neon, leading to the 2023 publication 'NO, NEON, NO CRY.' Gianuizzi has long advocated for creative freedom and criticized the difficulty of building a cohesive art system in Bologna.