Bergamo and Brescia have been declared the Cultural Capital of Italy for 2023. Their two art galleries, the Accademia Carrara of Bergamo and the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo of Brescia, have each chosen a masterpiece by Raphael which represents each collection, to be shown on two large billboards. These are located at the gates of Kilometro Rosso, which runs parallel to the A4 Highway and which crosses Lombardy. Raphael’s Saint Sebastian (ca. 1501-1502) and Christ Blessing (ca. 1505-1506) represent Bergamo and Brescia, respectively.
Kilometro Rosso is a leading European innovation hub where research and industry meet, a place where business, research, high-level training and professional services all intersect. With that profile, and Jean Nouvel’s design, it makes an ideal place for a spectacular cultural attraction for passing travelers, curious observers and for the many people who work there.
The two large billboards, more than 50 feet wide and 16 feet high, were made possible by Haltadefinizione. They were made using their ultra-high definition Gigapixel format of digital photographic capture, which produces large-scale reproductions of extremely high quality image resolution and color fedelity.
We have made an agreement with Kilometro Rosso, a leading European innovation hub, to promote special projects for 2023, at the gates of Jean Nouvel’s work. This may be the largest public-facing installation yet to promote 2023. Our close collaboration with our friends at the Brescia Museums Foundation has resulted in the two respective masterpieces of Raphael bearing the news that Bergamo and Brescia are an Italian Cultural Capital. This is the first of many initiatives planned between now and January 2023.
Gianpietro Bonaldi COO, Accademia Carrara Foundation
When it comes to questions of valorization of their collection, the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo and the Accademia Carrara share very modern approach. What we have done here is establish a momentary encounter, a moving traveler’s instant of eye contact with two great works of art that are part of the local cultural heritage and identity. They remind us of the cultural identity of our community. Additionally, by reflecting the artist’s revolutionary vision, they also highlight the productive energy of these industrial spaces and their own sense of community. Our two cities are aligned and ready for 2023 and our Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo and Accademia Carrara will surely play a central role along with the many manufacturing and industrial businesses that enrich our community.
Stefano Karadjov direttore Fondazione Brescia Musei
The Kilometro Rosso project began in the early 2000s thanks to the vision that I shared with my father Alberto Bombassei, and with the brilliant support of Jean Nouvel. From the start, our ambition was to write the story of the future, to develop ideas among more than 2000 collaborators. It also become a powerful means of communication with the long red wall which more than 100 million automobile passengers will see every year. With Bergamo and Brescia as the designated Italian Cultural Capital in 2023, that number will surely increase. These works represent us so well, and here in a place with such an international reach, we are so pleased to extend a warm welcome to visitors to the cities of Bergamo and Brescia and to the Accademia Carrara and the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo.
Luca Bombassei, member of the Kilometro Rosso SpA Board of Directors and head of the Technical Committee for building development projects in the Kilometro Rosso Innovation District.
Our company’s digital imaging operations are an example of the perfect intersection of art and technology. The development and application of new photographic techniques in the fine arts has demonstrated the ability to support not only conservation and restoration efforts but also the promotion and valorization of works of art and of the places where they are located.
Luca Ponzio CEO of Haltadefinizione
