ART CITY Bologna 2025

ART CITY Bologna 2025 will take place from February 6 to 16, marking the 13th edition of this contemporary art event, promoted by the Municipality of Bologna and BolognaFiere. The initiative, coordinated by MAMbo (Museum of Modern Art of Bologna) under the direction of Lorenzo Balbi, will run alongside the 51st edition of Arte Fiera (February 7-9), with a preview on February 6 to kick off both events together.

This year, the Special Program 2025 will pay tribute to the historic Gates of Bologna, symbols of the city that reflect its past and transformations over time. The program will feature ten artistic interventions, each dedicated to a gate, exploring the relationship between contemporary art and the city’s history.

Each gate will host a unique work:

- Porta Mascarella will feature "Extropic Optimisms: Portal IV" by Angelo Plessas, a luminous portal symbolizing conciliation and regeneration.

- Porta San Donato will host the sound installation "Deep Water Pulse" by Susan Philipsz, evoking the submerged world and the marine abyss.

- Porta San Vitale will present the sculpture "Phone User 4" by Judith Hopf, reflecting on daily gestures.

- Porta Maggiore will feature a large inflatable sculpture by Franco Mazzucchelli, challenging the monumental scale of the gate.

- Porta Santo Stefano will be the site of the video installation "Elegy" by Gabrielle Goliath, commemorating LGBTQIA+ victims in South Africa.

- Porta Castiglione will host "Tremendous gap between you and me" by Fatma Bucak, reflecting on rebirth from ruins.

- Porta Saragozza will feature the sculpture "OTTO, doppia curva lingua!" by Francesco Cavaliere, a reflection on amplifying energy.

- Porta San Felice will present the flag "A Man Was Lynched by Police Yesterday" by Dread Scott, a powerful statement against racial violence.

- Porta Lame will host the video "Aaaaaaa" by Valentina Furian, exploring the animal essence within every human being.

- Porta Galliera will present the project "Anteo" by Andrea Romano, in memory of the young antifascist Anteo Zamboni.

The event will culminate in BARK, a performance by Derek MF Di Fabio, which will bring together a choir of queer people on a bike ride across the city’s gates, symbolically connecting the various artistic interventions.

Saturday 8 February sees the customary Art City White Night 2025 with extraordinary openings and artistic performances around the city until midnight.

Additionally, an open call has been launched to select 6 queer performers to participate in BARK. The full program will be available on the official ART CITY Bologna website in January 2025.