Pietro Antolini's 'Yellow Submarine' presents marine-themed artist books and paper sculptures at Bologna's 5/C LAB

Pietro Antolini's exhibition 'Yellow Submarine - Il mare in bianco e nero' features artist books and paper sculptures exploring marine themes through imaginary creatures. Curated by Tristana Chinni, the site-specific installation occupies Bologna's 5/C LAB, a former workshop now housing the cultural association Serendippo since 2024. The show runs from April 12 to April 23, 2026, presenting works that transform fish, seahorses, shells, and mollusks into hybrid forms alongside monsters, tritons, and double-tailed mermaids. Antolini's process involves cutting, tearing, painting, and layering intaglio printing paper treated with oil and wax, with drawing occurring only at the final stage. The displayed series 'Il mare in bianco e nero' began development in 2019, dominated by a rough black-and-white palette with gold and silver touches, using translucent paper inserts that interact with light. Works include accordion-fold books and small sculptures creating a Wunderkammer-like aquarium throughout the space's niches, shelves, and wooden machinery. The artist's background as a restorer informs his technique of working with aged surfaces and patinas, while his interest in zoology and biology translates into reflections on ecosystem damage like coral bleaching and biodiversity loss. Antolini describes his underwater universe as requiring the gaze of 'a frightened underwater Diogenes' exploring the seabed with dim light.