Zerocalcare's largest exhibition 'Dopo il botto' opens in Milan

The largest exhibition dedicated to Italian cartoonist Zerocalcare, titled 'Dopo il botto' (After the Bang), has opened at Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan. Curated by Giulia Ferracci and conceived by Silvia Barbagallo, the show features over 800 original drawings and 200 illustrations spanning from the early 2000s to today. Produced by Arthemisia, the exhibition runs until April 23, 2023. The immersive installation presents a post-apocalyptic cityscape reflecting on the social and political aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zerocalcare's works explore themes of rebellion, community resistance, and social justice, including support for the Kurdish people, workers' rights, and women's roles. A timeline by Oscar Glioti traces key moments in the artist's life. The exhibition includes a cinema room with animations, a site-specific installation, and a section of 'saint protectors' depicting characters like T-Rex, Lady Cocca, Kurt Cobain, Gaetano Bresci, and human rights defender Nasrin. The title references both a personal existential condition and the pandemic as a metaphor for social void. The show marks the most ambitious project of Zerocalcare's career, who recently published the book 'No sleep till Shengal'.