Raid: From Pigeon Guano to Manumission Motel — A Year of Spontaneous Art Incursions in Bologna

The fourth edition of Raid, a spontaneous art incursion format, took place on February 2, 2018, at the Manumission Motel (formerly Hotel Caselle) on Bologna's ring road, marking the project's first anniversary. Founded by artists Alessandro Brighetti and Giulio Cassanelli in November 2016, Raid originated when Brighetti discovered a rectangle of pigeon guano in an abandoned 24,000 sqm factory in San Lazzaro di Savena. The first edition, 'Museo per piccioni,' was held on January 28, 2017, during Arte Fiera, with ten artists creating site-specific works using found materials. Subsequent editions included 'Sfornare Mondi' during Milan Art Week, 'La Ricreazione' for Artissima, and 'RAIDvertisement' for Festival perAspera. For the fourth edition, 45 artists, one orchestra, and two curatorial projects participated, with live streaming directed by Elia Andreotti, Davide Labanti, and Veronica Santi. Notable interventions included Silvia Giambrone's bed with chains and eyelashes, Loris Cecchini's 3D-printed planet, and Toxic's graffiti. Curatorial projects included 'Ice Cubes' by Milena Becci and 'A Blu Love Connection' by Elena Florin, honoring victims of the 2017 Barcelona attack. The event emphasizes authorship, spontaneity, and freedom from market dynamics.