Nicola Nannini's Surreal Paintings of the Po Valley at Cubo Unipol

Nicola Nannini's solo exhibition 'Non è ancora buio' opens at Cubo Unipol's two venues in Bologna, presenting hyperreal landscapes populated with giant exotic animals, hazmat-suited figures, and Wizard of Oz characters. The artist, born in Bologna in 1972 and living in Cento, describes the Po Valley as an 'atrocious territory' where beauty requires courage. His paintings superimpose fantastical elements onto stark, unadorned architecture and empty plains. At the Porta Europa venue, works include portraits of ordinary people with signature accessories like glasses and watches, continuing a series he began in 2005. The Torre Unipol space features nocturnal scenes devoid of human presence. Curated by Angela Memola, the show pairs paintings with narrative texts by writer Simona Vinci, who shares Nannini's Po Valley background. Her catalog essay includes horror-tinged lines such as 'the plain is full of teeth, just dig,' echoing the unsettling quality of the paintings. The exhibition aims to highlight artists from the Bologna region.