Calabrisella Mia

Cracking Art has invaded Cosenza. The name of this art installation comes from the English verb “to crack” meaning to break or split. It is also the term used for the chemical reaction that breaks or “cracks” the molecular structure of raw crude oil so that it can be converted into plastic.

Five artists decided to create something that captures this idea of transitioning from natural to artificial. And so, Cracking Art was born.

The sculptures that make up the Cracking Art have been created using recyclable plastic. The artists chose plastic because it is representative of our modern age. Plastic is very much present in our every day lives. It is also the centre of many discussions when talking about the environment.

Some people many think it’s inappropriate to create giant plastic sculptures in a time when we are trying to cut down and eliminate plastic use. But, the idea of these sculptures is to create a discussion about the importance of recycling and it’s impact on the environment.

So, you can find these large vividly coloured animals in unsuspecting places. For example, meerkats, which are desert animals, appear to be playing in the fountains of Via Arabia. You can see different animals along the pedestrian area of Corso Mazzini catching the attention of all those that pass by.

These types of installations are becoming more common in Cosenza, in fact, last year, dinosaurs invaded Corso Mazzini.  I haven’t snapped pics of all the sculptures just yet, but I’ve been having fun playing tourist in my own city and sharing this interesting installment with you.

The Cracking Art installation will continue to invade Cosenza unti September 15, 2019.

Have you seen the Cracking Art installment in other cities? What urban art installments have you seen and liked? Let me know in the comments below!