Ravenna Tribunal's Gorilla Sculptures Spark Controversy
In Ravenna, Italy, a political dispute has arisen concerning bronze gorilla sculptures created by Davide Rivalta, which have been situated in the Tribunal's courtyard for 18 years. Angelo Barboni, an architect affiliated with the local Lista per Ravenna party, expressed his concerns on Facebook in a post titled "L'uomo nero," stating that the life-sized gorillas scare children and intimidate visitors. Although he recognizes their artistic value, Barboni advocates for their relocation to a park, parade ground, or art biennial. He criticized the design of the building by Pierluigi Spadolini as dreary, labeling the gorillas as the "final touch of a nightmare." Art critics, however, support the sculptures' provocative nature, emphasizing the importance of unsettling public art. An article from Artribune expresses hope that the sculptures will stay.
Key facts
- Davide Rivalta's gorilla sculptures have been in the atrium of the Ravenna Tribunal for 18 years.
- Architect Angelo Barboni of Lista per Ravenna posted a Facebook complaint against the sculptures.
- Barboni claims the gorillas frighten children and intimidate courthouse visitors.
- Rivalta's sculptures are life-sized, hyperrealistic bronze, metal, and aluminum animals.
- Rivalta's works are installed at Galleria Nazionale, Forte Belvedere, Quirinale Palace, Neuchâtel, Triennale Milano, and Sant'Apollinare in Classe.
- The Tribunal building was designed by architect Pierluigi Spadolini.
- The controversy is seen by some as a late and opportunistic political move.
- Artribune defends the sculptures, highlighting their symbolic contrast between primal nature and law.
- Rivalta was born in Bologna in 1974.
- The article was written by Helga Marsala for Artribune.
Entities
Artists
- Davide Rivalta
- Helga Marsala
Institutions
- Lista per Ravenna
- Tribunale di Ravenna
- Galleria Nazionale
- Forte Belvedere
- Palazzo del Quirinale
- Palazzo della Triennale
- Sant'Apollinare in Classe
- Artribune
Locations
- Ravenna
- Italy
- Bologna
- Florence
- Neuchâtel
- Switzerland
- Milan