BIO
Alessandra Bonoli was born in 1956 in Faenza Italy, where she lives and works. In 1975 she graduated from the State Institute of Ceramic Art in Faenza and, in 1979, from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna Italy.
My research stems from a passion for archeology, which led me to travel to sixty countries around the world. Among the ruins of ancient civilizations, I took notes, wrote poems and made plans for my sculptures.
Our ancients' lesson led me to see sculpture not only as an object to look at, but rather as a plastic spaceto be inhabited, where one could enter (both visually and physically) and interact with. A space in relation to nature and above all, to the sky, forwhichthe spacewould become a channel: a thread connecting the sky to the earth, the world of the invisible divine to the world of the visiblehuman.
Water is also an important element, which I often use in my installations. It is our primordial habitat, capable of reflecting and transporting, even memory.
What fascinates meabout ancient buildingsis the powerful geometry of sacred architectures, that challenges time and seems to embrace, within it, the whole mystery of the world.
My aimwould be to create large installations, with pathways both above and below the ground, vertically or horizontally. My shapes/spaces are deliberately essential, but not minimalist. Their bodies grow out of the traces of simple archetypes, in which vertical, horizontal, diagonal, circular, square, rhombic or triangular lines have formed the basis of architectural and plasticgeometry over time. A geometry that is never an end to itself (except in modern times) but rather in harmony with the world 'of the soul'.
To me color is very important, since every shape seeks its own color, and couldn’t have a different one. There is no same red, blue, green, oryellow; each color has infinite unique variations. Besides, I am interested in painted sculpture because it puts me in relationwith ancient sculpture, in the way it was first conceived.
The materials I use are: terracotta, colored concrete, oxidized or painted iron and sandstone. Some of these sculptures were made in large scale and others, on the contrary, in a medium or small format, both as prototypes and finished sculptures. Some of these have been turned into wearable jewelry.
I've chosen to work with heavy materials (carving stone, welding metalsand trimming them with an angle grinder, creating formworks for concrete and then shaping these by hand, or casting large structureswith clay andpropping them up with wooden scaffolding) because the contact with the material substancestimulates me to dream and always to searchfor new solutions. Furthermore, these sculptures were created mainly for the outdoor space, to challenge the weather, and cannot be ephemeral if the intention is to last in time.
Solo Shows
2022
In bilico sempre, by V.Tassinari, Spazio Lavì!City – Bologna I
2021
Hibernation, by S. Moretto, text D. A. Collovini, Ancient Icebox - Montegaldella Vi I
TreArtisteTre, by G. Bonomi, Fortress of Umbertide - Umbertide Pg I
2020
Towers of Silence, by A. Oggiano, text D.Spinosa, E-EMME Space - Cagliari I
2018
Thunderbolts (permanent installation), by G. Pedullà e P. Fragomeni, Cavone Square - Siderno Superiore RC I
Kiss (permanent installation), by U. Corsucci, Sculpture Museum - Montefiore Conca Rn I
Notes from the woods, by G. Fiumi, "Molinella" Civic Gallery of Modern Art - Faenza Ra I
Alessandra Bonoli, by A.Gamba, LIBA Gallery - Pontedera Pi I
2016
Coordinate - vertical notes, by A. Cochetti, Poerio Study Research and Documentation – Roma I
Die Struktur des unsichtbaren, by I. Mangold, Landratsamt Ostalbkreis Bildung und Kultur Aalen De
2014
Bonoli/Salti - Artist Residence, by J. Bildhauer, Gold and Silver Forum – Schwabisch Gmund De
Perimeter and Libra, by Anna Oggiano, Spazio (In)Visibile – Cagliari I
A seguire…, by D. Collovini, La Bottega Gallery – Gorizia I
2013
Drop (permanent installation), by E. Nonni, Open-Air Museum of the City - Faenza Ra I
Aerolite (permanent installation), by E. Nonni, MUST Museum – Faenza Ra I
2011
Paesaggi Scultòrei, TaroniVazquez Park – Lugo Ra I
2010
Alessandra Bonoli - Magnets, by E. Manzoni, text V.Coen, Ex Blocchiera – Tortolì OG I
Magnet (permanent installation), by E. Manzoni, V. Coen, Contemporary Art Museum Su Logu De S'Iscultura - Tortolì Og I
2009
The Silence of Numbers, by M.Bonaffini, Santa Chiara Cloister – Modena I
Spatial Dynamics, by V.Coen, Castle of Riolo Terme Ra I
2008
Algebra and Nerves, by M. Bonaffini, Raffaello Ex College Engraving Museum – Urbino I
2007
Menhir ( permanent installation), by Xeno, Perusini Estate - Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Corno of Rosazzo Udine I
Duality (with M.Onorato), by G. Bonomi, Scoglio di Quarto Gallery – Milano I
First Prize of Sculpture R. Addamiano, Free Accademy V.Viviani Nova Milanese – Milano I
2006
Menhir, by Xeno, San Nicolò Church – Cormons Ud I
Al di fuori delle mappe - sculptures and poetries, by M.Bonaffini, Spezzano Castle – Modena I
Bothros ( permanent installation), by M. Bonaffini, Ascom Office Small Square of Commerce, Lugo Ra I
2005
Scultura (with G. Ruggero), by P. Tsolakos, Modern Art Gallery – Faenza Ra I
Cosmogony - drawings and sculptures, by M. Colombo, Spazio Danseei – Olgiate Olona Varese I
Coordinates - sculptures and poetry, by M. Bonaffini, Ass.Cult.LoSguardodell'Altro – Modena I
For a Sculpture' s Museum (permanent installation), by G. Bonomi, Ranghiasci Park – Gubbio Pg I
2003
I'm park - permanent installations, Cetra Visual Arts Sector Park - Castel Bolognese Ravenna I
2002
Ousia - space matter time ( permanent installations ), by A. Cochetti, Albornoz Palace Hotel Park - Spoleto I
Rullo/Bilanciere (permanent installations), by M. Campani, Public Garden of Punta Marina – Ravenna I
2001
Omphalos mnemonico, by M. Bonaffini, Ex Salumificio Pagliani – Modena I
2000
Sculptures in the park, by G.R. Manzoni, Ros's house – San Benedetto Pò Mantova I
Threshold (permanent installation), by G.R. Manzoni, Municipal Park – Mirabello Ferrara I
We clench fists and teeth – sculptures poetry and music, sculptures and texts by A. Bonoli, music by H.J. Gerung, voice by Z.Vincenzi, St. Domenico's Cloister – Faenza Ra I
1999
Skulptur-Malerei (with S. Costantini), Projektraum Triloff – Colonia D
Bonoli, by A. Gamba, LIBA Gallery – Pontedera Pi I
Contemporanea-mente, by M.R. Bentini, In Albis Ex Church – Russi Ra I
1998
Sculptures in the city - Bonoli, Minoli, Munari (permanent installations), by C.Cerritelli, Civic Museum – Riva del Garda - Trento I
Hagakure (permanent installation), by G.R. Manzoni, Tempo Reale - Brunnenburg Castle – Merano Bolzano I
Impronte, by C. Cerritelli, Arciduca di Arco Park – Arco Trento I
1997
Silent language of art (with R.Berardi, G. Pellegrini), by L. Mango, Galerie Nijehove – An Diepenheime NL
1995
Universal Key (permanent installation), by G.R. Manzoni, Cà Vecchia Park – Voltana Ravenna I
1993
Revelation / 2, by C. Cerritelli, Butti Museum – Viggiù Varese I
1987
Erratic lines of Underground Waters, Bockley Gallery – Minneapolis USA
1986
Sculptures and projects, 420 WB Gallery – Ravenna I
Group Shows
2023
5a Sculpture Biennial: - in the water, in the square , by Pino Pin, texts Carla Chiara Frigo and Elio Armano, Piazzola sul Brenta PD I
Au-delà de l'infini/0ltre l'infinito, by A.Cochetti, Institut Français Centre Saint Louis - Roma I
Mail Art - Musèe Utopique de l'Arbre, Nassogne - Belgio
Oltre la superficie, la materia diventa linguaggio - Scultura in Emilia Romagna, by S.Malossini, Halle des Chartrons - Bordeaux FR
2022
M@D> - Monza Arte Diffusa, by M. Galbiati and LeoGalleries, Villa Archinto Pennati - Monza I
2021
Artistica. L'emozione femminile nelle arti, by S.Malossini, Legislative Assembly of the Emilia Romagna Region - Bologna I
Festa Internazionale dell'Arte a Bologna e Dintorni (Infinitamente Allargati), by S. Malossini, Zangheri House - Castel San Pietro Bo I
2020
"Saluti da...", by M.C. Antonini, Donne ad Arte Academy of Fine Arts - Napoli I
2019
Tutti i pani del mondo, by A. B. Del Guercio, Fondazione Sassi di Matera – Matera I
4a Sculpture Biennial: in the water, in the square, by Pino Pin, texts C. Cerritelli - Piazzola sul Brenta Pd I
2018
Night voices, by F.Stucchi, Spazio Danseei – Olgiate Olona Va I
2017
3a Sculpture Biennial: in the water, in the square , by P. Pin, texts A. Golfarelli - Piazzola sul Brenta Pd I
LIBA 1997 – 2017 twenty years of activity, by A. Gamba, Villa Crastan – Pontedera Pi
2016
Paragone Antico Contemporaneo, by A. Marchi, D. Montanari – Fortezza of San Leo Rn I
2015
2a Sculpture Biennial: in the air, in the water, in the square, by P. Pin, texts V. Coen – Piazzola sul Brenta Pd I
Symbiosis – Open art between nature and history, by A. Cochetti - Natural Reserve of Pietraporciana Si I
Mirroring – mirror in the goddess, by A. Golfarelli – Oratory of San Sebastiano Forlì I
Contemporary – Space to space, by O. Dominguez – Arte Fiera di Forlì I
2014
Canned Art, by A. Cochetti, MUDITAC - Roma I
2013
International Biennial of Sculpture - Pensare lo Spazio: Dialogo tra Natura e Immaginazione, by C.Cerritelli, Royal Castle – Racconigi To I
Sintassi Contemporanee dalle Raccolte del Museo, by C. Rizzi, Parisi Valle Museum – Maccagno I
2012
Square Project – Multimedia Exhibition 2012, by F. Agostinelli, Casa della musica - Cervignano del Friuli Ud, St. George Theater – Udine I
Concours de Sculpture Aktikulti Commune de Steinfort – Luxemburg
Of art… of Parks…and of Other Stories, by A. Cochetti, Studio Poerio – Roma I
My Individualism – homage to the poet Natsume Soseki, Spazio Danseei – Olgiate Olona Va
2011
Exhibition of the 8 Finalists of the 2012 CubeCultura Award – International Sculpture Competition, by GrupoCube, Galleria CurroyPoncho – Guadalajara Mexico
Segno DiVino – copritappi d’artista, Sukya Gallery – Lamezia Terme Cz I
2010
Casciana Scultura – Benetton, Bonoli, Cascella, Staccioli, by LIBA Gallery – Casciana Terme PI I
8 Sculptresses in the fortress - by G. Bojani, Bastione Sangallo – Fano PU I
2009
Suggestions – poetic and thematic from the museum collections - by C.Rizzi, Museo Civico Parisi Valle-Maccagno Va I
2008
Acquisitions 2008, by C. Rizzi, Museo Civico Parisi Valle – Maccagno Va I
2007
Italian Carousel /Contemporary Art, by A. Mistrangelo, C. Rizzi, Palazzo Boglietti – Biella I Vecchia Pretura – Castell’Arquato Pc I
2005
Environmental sculptures for the city - between utopia and imagination from the 44th edition of the Suzzara Prize, by C. Cerritelli - B. Bandini - L. Sansone, Starter Onlus – Milano I
From earth to sky… from sky to earth, by G. R. Manzoni – Pescherie della Rocca – Lugo Ra I
Materika, by C. Cerritelli - P.Weiermair, Gorizia Castle – Gorizia I, Kromberk Castle – Nova Gorica Sl
XXIV Biennial of Gubbio – for a museum of sculpture (permanent installations) by G.Bonomi, Parco Ranghiasci – Gubbio
2004
Light beyond form, by D.Collovini, Gallery Ai Molini Portogruaro Ve I, Peccolo Gallery Livorno I, Casabianca Museum – Malo Vi I, ArteStudio Clocchiatti - Udine I, Folini Arte Contemporanea – Chiasso CH
44th Suzzara Prize Edition, by C.Cerritelli, Award Gallery – Suzzara Mn I
2003
La durata dello sguardo, by F.Agostinelli, ArteStudio Clocchiatti – Udine I
Da Cage a J. Cage, by F. Stucchi, Spazio Danseei – Olgiate Olona Va I
Artist Rooms, by E. De Albentis, ArtEhotel – Perugia I
Il Giardino dell'Arte, opere permanenti nei giardini dell'Istituto d'Arte F.Faccio – Castellamonte To
Artist Books for M. Yourcenar, by A. Cochetti, Biblioteca Multimediale A.Savinio – Roma I
Lo sguardo dell'albatros, by P. M. Turchetti - M. Brunelli, Castello di Frontone PU I, C.cetra settore arti visive – Castel Bolognese Ra I
2002
3rd International Sculpture Award of the Piemonte Region, by C.Cerritelli, San Filippo Neri Gallery – Torino I, Minucci Solaini Palace – Volterra I
Rose's Choice, by L.Alviani, Mida Museum – Scontrone Aq I
I linguaggi dell'arte nel 2000 – 2°, by M.Raciti, Circolo Culturale Bertolt Brecht – Milano I
2001
Roundabout – arte per le rotatorie stradali, by A. Sibilia, Arte Fiera Forlì I
Exit 5 - to R.Vitali, by Ass. Cult. C. Voltaire, ControinaiP – Bologna I
Cosmographies – the I the Matter the Time, by A. Cochetti, Parisi Palace – Monteprandone Ap I
In the Drawing – the seer hand, by V. Tassinari, Studio G7 – Bologna I, Galleria Maria Cilena – Milano I, Maurizio Corraini – Mantova I
2000
Lavoro e lavori - artisti nella Romagna ravennate tra 900 e 2000, by A.Savini, CGIL- Ravenna I
Exit 0002 o dell’alterità, by M. Miretti, Campo delle Fragole – Bologna I
The mirror of Venere, by L.Mastrangelo, Campo delle Fragole – Bologna I
1999
The ways of construction – sculpture practices in Italy, by C.Cerritelli, Riva del Garda e Arco Tn I
The train of the parks - around the water, by A.Taddei, Bastione degli Spagnoli - L'Aquila I
1998
Menù Turistico, by E. Di Mauro, Galleria Comunale Salara - Bologna I
1997
The silent language of art, by L Mango, L'Idioma Centro d'Arte – Ascoli Piceno I
Bonoli, Minoli, Munari – sculptures for the city (permanent installations) by C. Cerritelli, Museo Civico – Riva del Garda Tn I
1996
Between weight and lightness – figures of abstract sculpture in Italy, by C.Cerritelli, Cantù Co I
Comparisons with sculpture, by C. Cerritelli, Palazzolo sull'Olio – Bs I
1995
Young Contemporary Art, by C. Cerritelli – L.Somaini, Castle of Sartirana Lomellina – Pv I
1994
Contemporary Collection – donations bequests acquisitions, by C.Spadoni, Pinacoteca Comunale – Ravenna I
The most recent acquisitions of the Modern Art Gallery A. Bonzagni, by V.Tassinari – Cento Fe I
Fondamenta, by L.Mango, Salone San Carlo Vercelli I, Arti Visive Gallery – Roma I
Disgregante/Aggregante, by A. Cochetti, Raccani Arroni Palace – Spoleto I
Unexplored sculpture, by C. Cerritelli, Sede Editrice Questarte – Pescara I
Raume Voller Kunst, Zolesi Galery – Herrsching D
Cardini, by G.R.Manzoni, Villa Carcina – Carcina Bs I
Volkerwanderung, by P.M.Rabiger, Galerie Im Park – Bremen D
1993
Contemporary Art in Bologna – 1a Biennial, Re Enzo Palace – Bologna I
Cammino verso il linguaggio, by C.Cerritelli-L.Mango, Auditorium De Ferrari – Moconesi Ge
XXX11 National Art Biennial City of Milano – new materials section, by A.Ghinzani, Napoleonic Hall of Brera – Milano I
1992
Dialogue on sculpture, by C. Cerritelli – P. Fossati, Castle of Sartirana Lomellina Pv I
XXI Biennial of Sculpture in Gubbio, by M.Vescovo – G. Bonomi, Gubbio Pg I
Autarchica, by I. Tomassoni, Fortezza Medicea – Cortona Ar I
Corrispondenze del sensibile, by G.R. Manzoni, P.Restany, Ex Asili – Lugo Ra I
1989
Fiumara d'Arte, Galleria dei Banchi Nuovi – Roma I
Matter and Symbols: 10 Years of European Art, by M.Vescovo, Palazzo Esposizioni - Faenza I
1988
Figure e Forme dell'immaginario, by M. Vescovo, Ex Stalloni – Reggio Emilia I
Aart – Images for a Collection, by C. Cerritelli, Circolo Artistico – Bologna I
Avamposti, by M. Vescovo, Galerija Studenskog Centra - Zagabria Yu
I quaderni del San Sebastiano, by B. Bandini, Oratorio di San Sebastiano – Forlì I
The dream of matter, by M.Vescovo, S. Maria delle Croci – Ravenna I
1987
Contemporary Italian Abstraction, by A. B. Del Guercio, Città di Alatri Fr I
Arte Fiera – Basilea CH
Concorso Fiumara d'Arte, Santo Stefano di Camastra Me I
Biennial of Stia Sculpture, by A.B. DelGuercio, Stia Ar I
1986
Arte Fiera – Bologna I
Abstraction of the Pictorial Structure/of the Painted Sculpture, by A. B. Del Guercio, Sala Uno – Roma,
Mercato del Sale – Milano, Bockley Gallery - Minneapolis USA, Studio School - New York USA
1985
Una Nuovissima Generazione nell'Arte Italiana, by E. Crispolti, Fortezza Medicea – Siena I
1984
Biennale Giovani, by C.Cerritelli, GAM – Bologna I
1983
In campo aperto, by C.Cerritelli, Centro Mascarella – Bologna I
1981
Aletheia/lethe - l'immaginale pagano, by A. Baccilieri, Massari Park – Ferrara I, Palazzo Albertini – Forlì I, Loggetta Lombardesca – Ravenna I
1980
Accursia, by C.Pozzati, Accursio Palace – Bologna I
1979
Rassegna Quadro Giovani 79, Galleria San Fedele – Milano I
The creative use of ceramic, by F.Gualdoni, Fagnano Olona Va I