Granfondo & art: Bonaldi’s symbolism and spirituality on show in Bergamo

The works of the 52-year-old local artist will be highlighted in the GF Gimondi’s traditional exhibition coordinated by the Creberg Foundation in Bergamo

Pleasure of exploration, attention to detail, concentration and passion are common features to a lot of cycling lovers ready to come back to Bergamo to enter the 22nd Granfondo Internazionale Felice Gimondi Bianchi, next May 6th. From cycling to art, the basic points remain as the trait d’union to Giovanni Bonaldi, 52, the local artist chosen this year by G.M. Sport in the context of the established collaboration with the Creberg Foundation.

Bonaldi’s works will be exposed on the occasion of the GF Gimondi Bianchi’s official presentation in Creberg Bergamo’s Sala Traini on next April 11th and during the race week-end in the Lazzaretto, the historical building that hosts the Felice Gimondi permanence in the heart of Bergamo. In the past, G.M. Sport and Creberg Foundation – under the personal coordination of the CF’s General Secretary Angelo Piazzoli – showcased the art of Marco Ceravolo, Valentina Persico, Giorgio Paris, Hemo, Steven Cavagna, Tiziano Finazzi, Zaccaria Cremaschi, Marinella Bettineschi, Trento Longaretti and Fabio Agliardi.

Giovanni Bonaldi studied at Bergamo’s Art School and Milan‘s NABA (New Academy of Fine Arts), where Gianni Colombo introduced him to the world of the vanguards, encouraging his search towards uncharted horizons and techniques. Lucio Del Pezzo, Renata Boero, Kengiro Azuma and Umberto Mariani played a key role in his artistic education. After school, Bonaldi was named Colombo’s assistant at the Academy’s “Structuring of the space” program, before becoming teacher of pictorial disciplines at the Art School in Treviglio and then in Bergamo. The friendship with poet Alda Merini led to the “Curva di fuga” (Escape curve) project, artist book published in 1997 and including some of the poet’s unreleased writings and Bonaldi’ most significants works.

In recent years, Bonaldi deeply focused on the Jewish culture, filling his art with spirituality. The artist book “Una poesia per ogni giorno della settimana di Linda” (A poem for every day of Linda’s week) – featuring five poems of Arturo Schwarz, five etchings and two drawings of Giovanni Bonaldi (Mudima, 2011) are part of this phase, as well as the drawings, the writings and the paintings inspired by the trip to Israel. Recently, Bonaldi conducted detailed researches about fellow artist Jacopo Negretti known as Palma il Vecchio (Serina, 1480 – Venice, 1528), resulting in a collection of works also showed at the ALT Museum in Alzano Lombardo, on behalf of the Creberg Foundation. For the Foundation, Bonaldi also realized a site specific installation named “Stagioni” (Seasons), inspired by the barren lands of his home valley and placed in Creberg Palace’s great hall on the occasion of 2017 Art2Night event.

“Besides the agonistic theme, every year our aim is to focus on aspects we consider as integral parts of a society and a territory we are deeply bound to. Art and sport ride together for a day, being different and complementary aspects of the same story, our story” GF Gimondi Bianchi’s organizer Beppe Manenti commented.

How to register for the 2017 Granfondo Gimondi-Bianchi

Until March 31, 2018 the entry fee is 35 euros. Participants can register for the 22nd edition filling out the dedicated online form on the official website www.felicegimondi.it, or at the G.M. Sport Office in Via G. Da Campione, 24/c – 24124 Bergamo (tel. +39 035.211721 – fax + 39 035.4227971).