Ugo Nespolo redesigns animated series for RAI Yoyo

Italian artist Ugo Nespolo (b. 1941) has created a new animated series for RAI Yoyo, the children's channel of Italian state television. Titled 'YO YO' after its twin protagonists—a shy boy and an impulsive girl—the series is a historical property of the network that Nespolo completely reimagined with a pop aesthetic. The artist drew inspiration from his own 1960s works, incorporating vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and fast-paced movement reminiscent of Futurism. Nespolo's collaboration with RAI dates back to the 1980s, when he produced video signatures and commercials, including the opening sequence for Renzo Arbore's show 'Indietro tutta'. Beyond visual style, the series has a pedagogical aim to stimulate children and accustom them to complex imagery. Nespolo, who coined the concept of 'cinematic canvas' in the 1970s and later advocated for 'art into life', also designed the pink jersey for the Giro d'Italia in 2003. The article further notes a growing trend of contemporary art initiatives targeting children, citing Unduetrestella, a creative workshop project founded by journalist and curator Paola Noè that collaborates with international artists and designers to produce games, furniture, and artworks exclusively for kids. This trend is influenced by Bruno Munari, who considered children's workshops fundamental to his work.