Strolling through the streets of Pistoia, it is impossible not to be struck by the city's medieval charm, visible in the green and white façades of the churches and main monuments, such as Palazzo Comunale and the imposing Palazzo dei Vescovi. Street art has also found its place along the city streets and alleyways. Murals, stencils and posters add a lively and charming note, creating a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.
Pistoia is not the only place containing examples of urban art: the Pistoia Mountains are also enriched by works inspired by local history and culture. These artistic works, often fleeting, make each visit a new discovery, with details constantly appearing and transforming before the eyes of passersby.
Contents
1.
Millo - No Hesitation
2.
Daniele Capecchi - Kobe Bryant
3.
Blub - Art can swim
4.
LDB - The Gentle Street Artist
5.
Exit Enter - Omini
6.
Lizzano Pistoiese - Village of Murals
Millo - No Hesitation
No hesitation - Millo, Pistoia - Credit: Visit Pistoia
In 2018, as part of the Garden of Cino redevelopment project, street artist Millo created No Hesitation: a large mural depicting two oversized figures who, by inserting a key into the area of the heart, open the wooden armor they are wearing. The work symbolizes openness towards others.
Daniele Capecchi's large mural adorns a wall of the Vitaliano Masotti municipal gym in the Monteoliveto Park in Pistoia. The artwork depicts famous Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant, along with his animal symbol, the black mamba. Bryant, who tragically passed away in January 2020, spent part of his childhood in Pistoia and Cireglio.
Blub - Art can swim
Untitled, Blub - Pistoia - Credit: Visit Pistoia
Along the alleyways of Pistoia, you might come across artistic masterpieces revisited with irony: these are the works in the series L’arte sa nuotare (Art Can Swim) by street artist Blub. The author prefers movable wall surfaces, such as meter doors, turning anonymous and often vandalized elements into works that attract attention.
LDB - The Gentle Street Artist
LDB - Pistoia - Credit: Visit Pistoia
LDB is a street artistfrom Pistoia known for his black stencil monochromatic works, which convey ironic or serious messages, often based on the figures of children. In Pistoia, many of his works have become iconic. You can also find two of his large works in Maresca, in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio, commissioned by the Convivio OdV Association: one depicts a little girl surrounded by some bees in flight and the other depicts a child playing with a toy train, as a tribute to the historic Alto Pistoiese Railway.
Exit Enter - Omini
Omino, Exit Enter - Pistoia - Credit: Visit Pistoia
On the walls in Pistoia, you might notice several stylized little men intent on experiencing small urban adventures. They are the “omini”, or little men, of Exit Enter, who have now conquered the walls of numerous cities, including Lisbon, Brussels, Valencia, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice, Naples, Rome and Bologna.
Lizzano Pistoiese - Village of Murals
Lizzano - San Marcello Piteglio - Credit: Associazione Convivio OdV
The village of Lizzano, in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio, in the Pistoia Mountains, offers artistic surprises: there are about 30 murals here, created by different artists, dealing with topics ranging from the events of the Second World War to the rural traditions of the area.
