Street Art Palermo Neustadt | Grafitti | Murale | Wall Painting | Part 4 of 5

Palermo Street Art New Town

In today's part IV of our Palermo Street Art Tour we visit the suburbs of Palermo. 

Palermo's suburbs are very different from the historic old town. All the more they offer an opportunity not only to discover street art, but also to take a different, no less exciting perspective on Palermo.

But before we leave the Centro Storico to turn to something new, that is, to the New Town, a little review:

Review - Street Art Cento Storico

In Part I to III our Series Murale we report about the old town of Palermo, the so-called Centro Storico. Should you see this Part 1 don't know it yet, we recommend to start here. You can find more links at the end of this post.

But now we leave the Centro Storico and turn to something new.

„Kunst sollte etwas sein, das deine Seele befreit.“

Keith Haring

Street Art Sperone

Outside the old town, one district in particular stands out in terms of street art. The district of Sperone is certainly not the poster child of Palermo. The district is characterized by run-down prefabricated buildings and poverty.  Sicily may be poor, but this neighborhood in particular. Whoever is born here needs a strong cross or a helping hand.

Street art not only provides a little color and hope in the dreary gray of the concrete buildings. The murals also draw attention to the hot spot. And this is precisely the goal of the artists. Because the artworks on the house facades attract tourists.

Tourists not only bring money to the city, but are therefore also politicians' darlings. It is therefore hoped that the attention of regional politicians will also be focused on the district.

The best example that this can work is probably the Bronx borough of New York. Formerly known for gang crime, car theft, drugs and robberies, the Bronx is now considered a bedroom community for Manhattan. The crime rate has dropped drastically.

Meanwhile, when people think of the Bronx, they usually think of the Yankees. Perhaps also the Italian community in Belmont.

But above all, this New York neighborhood is known as the origin of breakdancing, hip hop and last but not least, the graffiti and street art scene. 

"Biagio Conte" - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

Igor Scalisi Palminteri dedicated this work to the lay missionary Biagio Conte.

It was completed exactly one month after the death of Biagio Conte, on January 12, 2023.

Die Arbeiten wurden durch Regen, Wind und Wetter beeinflusst. Igor äußerte seine Sorge, dass er nicht rechtzeitig zu seiner eigens angekündigten Eröffnung fertig sei.  „Du fällst und stehst auf, genau wie Biagio es uns gelehrt hat“

Biagio Conte also known as Brother Biagio was known in and around Palermo. The lay preacher dedicated his life to the poor of the city. Again and again he tried to draw attention to the dramatic situation of poverty and exclusion, in his hometown.

Igor Scalisi Palminteri sagt zu seinem Werk „Es ist nicht nur ein Gedenken, wir wollen die Tatsache anprangern, dass dieser Ort unsere Aufmerksamkeit braucht“

Biagio Conte worked for decades in Sperone, a hotspot neighborhood of the city. Igor Scalisi Palminteri also feels connected to this part of town.

"You have the freedom to be yourself, the real you, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way."

Seagull Jonathan - Richard David Bach

AGI - "Il gabbiano" - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

When I saw this mural by Igor Scalisi Palminteri, I immediately thought of the seagull Jonathan. The artist seems to have had something similar in mind.

„Unter ihren Flügeln stelle ich mir vor, wie Kinder den Sinn des Lebens lernen, den Lehren über das Fliegen und den Wind, die Sterne und die Wunder des Planeten lauschen…“

The Sperone neighborhood is considered one of the most run-down and poorest in the city of Palermo. The experiment on the one hand to give hope and on the other hand to draw attention to the neighborhood seems to succeed more and more with each of these murals. ABBI CURA can be translated with "Caution!" but also with "Personal protection". Here, however, the German word Achtsamkeit also seems to fit. Mindfulness towards oneself and towards others.

What do you think?

„Gridalo al Mondo“ – CHEKOS ART

"Shout it to the world." - This is the title of CHEKO's work in Palermo's Sperone neighborhood.

The Russian-Ukrainian war began back in February 2014.

But the Russian invasion of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, at that time still seemed far, far away.

It was not until February 2022, eight years later, that this war suddenly felt close. Since then, Russia's war of aggression has continued with increasing severity and destruction. Is it not the case that this war is already fading a little in our consciousness?

We do not know if the song of the same name by Gaetano Caruso is the model for the title of this street art. - What do you think or know?

CHEKOS mural should be his contribution so that this and the everyday wars of everyday life are not forgotten too quickly. The work shows two children, Fatue and Andrea, who shout peace to the world. Why in the focal point of Sperone? - The artists put it as follows:

"Because we firmly believe that the center of all change is to be found right there, in the hearts of the suburbs and their residents"

There should be little to add to this, except....

„All we are saying is give peace a chance“

John Lennon

"IO SONO TE" - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

I am you, is the title of this work by Igor Scalisi Palminteri. These words come from a little boy who helped the artist in one of his works.

The mural shows a boy. Arms and hands stretched to the sky, feet crossed. Behind the legs the shadow of the crucified. But the look of the child does not let himself be defeated.

Palminteri says of his street art, "He asks us for help or invites us to fly high above the cement of a neglected neighborhood, above the dirt that is inside us and outside us. - And I'm not just talking about the institutions, I'm talking about a society that doesn't care about the most vulnerable..."

The project was created by One Voice. A social movement that promotes public art to inspire and unite communities. In Palermo, One Voice has promoted a total of ten projects of different artistic genres.

After we have already seen so many murals by Igor Scalisi Palminteri, I wanted to know more about him and sought personal contact. We find a truly exciting, cosmopolitan and charismatic guy. Therefore, we wanted to give him the opportunity to directly address the visitors of his city: 

"To the travelers who come to Palermo, I say that here you are in a city that is unique in the world. That in our neighborhoods coexist the deepest and most inexplicable contradictions you have ever seen or heard. We Palermitans are syncretic in religious and cultural terms.

You will meet here people from distant lands who worship Santa Rosalia, even if they belong to a non-Christian religion. Culturally, we are the result of dozens of crossings and reigns. In Piazza Rivoluzione, the statue of the Genius of Palermo stands in the center. He is a perfect synthesis of what Palermo is all about. A king who welcomes the strangers and lets his children starve.

You will find a lot of garbage flying around and polluting some of the most beautiful monuments in the world. You will find rich merchants and decadent nobles, poor people buying old shoes in Ballarò, and tens of thousands of honest workers. You will find children living in well-kept neighborhoods and children in the Sperone, a suburb of 25,000 people who don't even have a kindergarten. There are miles of coastline where you can't even swim. This is a city that is not common. We are the sun and the darkness. This is the place where heinous criminals were born, who are friends with dishonest politicians, and an endless line of people who died to make this place more just.

My paintings are seeds, I hope they will germinate soon."

„Geh hinaus und male die Sterne.“ – Van Gogh“

Salvador Dali

Medianeras

International artists are now also attracted to Sperone. In this case, the Argentine artists Medianeras, who have created another work of art on the wall of a 25-meter high building.

The image of a young woman. The artists are no strangers to the international urban art scene. They regularly use their works to convey a clear message of respect for others and gender equality.

We feel movement, change, speed, turmoil. It seems as if the young woman switches between different colors and moods. Imperfection versus perfection. - What do you think?

Millo - Francesco Camillo Giorgino,

Francesco Camillo Giorgino, known as Millo, is a world-renowned street artist who has created artworks in various parts of the world. The creative alliance Sperone167 is partly responsible for his first work in Palermo.

This one shows a boy who manages to open the skylight and literally soar into the sky. It exudes an eerie sense of freedom. Many young people will surely only be able to dream of climbing up the ladder. Nevertheless, we think the artist succeeds in conveying courage. Because courage is certainly needed to leave behind quarters of this kind, without forgetting where you come from.

Der Künstler Igor Scalisi Palminteri, ein Förderer von Sperone167, erklärt: „Wir bei Sperone167 sind erfreut und stolz darauf, den Künstler Millo in Palermo zu haben, wo er zum ersten Mal arbeitet, nachdem er weltweit aktiv war.

Es ist großartig, einen Künstler wie ihn bei uns zu haben, der die Vorstädte und Stadtviertel kennt. Er nimmt uns und die Bewohner von Sperone und Palermo mit in seine eigene imaginative Welt. Es ist eine intelligente Welt, manchmal traumhaft, aber sehr real. Seine Werke tragen oft wichtige Botschaften, die für die heutige Gesellschaft von Bedeutung sind.“

Millo ist daran gewöhnt, in großen Metropolen und Vororten zu arbeiten. Man sagt, er sei ein Künstler, der nicht viel spricht, sondern lieber durch die Linien auf weiße Wände „kommuniziert“. Francesco Camillo hat schon als Kind gerne gezeichnet.

After studying architecture, drawing became his life's passion. Since then he has created works of art all over the world. His works, over 120 murals, can be found on all continents and now in Palermo.

Der Künstler Millo sagt: „Ich bin sehr erfreut, zu diesem Projekt eingeladen worden zu sein. Seit über zehn Jahren reise ich, um Kunst dorthin zu bringen, wo sie schwer zu finden ist.“

"Don't be afraid of perfection, you will never achieve it."

Salvador Dali

„Sangu e Latti“ – Igor Scalisi Palminteri

„Stillen ist Leben“ ist ebenfalls ein Wandbild von Igor Scalisi Palminteri. Das Mural spiegelt laut Palminteri ein sizilianisches Sprichwort wider: „Es ist ein gutes Omen, es hat mit der Laktation, der engen Verbindung zwischen Mutter und Baby, und somit mit dem Leben zu tun.“  Laut eigenen Worten beschloss er eine Frau mit ihrem Baby zu malen, weil Stillen nicht nur die Mütter betrifft, sondern auch das Kindsein. Somit etwas ist, was uns alle verbindet.

When I first saw the mural, I thought the lettering was painted too childish. I found this exaggerated. But it was not Igor who painted this, but children from the neighborhood, who spontaneously felt addressed and invited to design with.

Exactly the part that I didn't like at first is now the one I find most exciting. Because here the artist Palminteri has shown that he really means interaction with the residents of the neighborhood. - Jackson Pollock is right, something is said here, so what do I presume how paint is applied. 

„Es ist egal, wie die Farbe aufgetragen wird, solange etwas gesagt wird.“

Jackson Pollock

Brancaccio 

Just like the Sperone district, the sprawling industrial and residential areas of Branciaccio are certainly no poster child for Palermo. Or is it? This district is also characterized by dilapidated prefabricated buildings and poverty. This was not always the case. There used to be agricultural areas here where late mandarins were grown. Little of that remains. As poverty increased, so did the power of the Cosa Nostra. But a small indomitable Padre hlocal did not stop resisting the invaders. 

"It's important to talk about the mob, especially in schools, to fight against the mob mentality, which is any ideology that is willing to sell human dignity for money." 

3P - Padre Pino Pugliso - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

Giuseppe Puglisi, auch bekannt als Padre „Pino“, wird in diesem Wandgemälde von Igor Scalisi Palminteri geehrt. Dieses Kunstwerk entstand im Mai 2021 und ist eine Hommage an den selig gesprochenen Priester und Anti-Mafia-Aktivisten aus dem Bezirk Brancaccio.

During his homilies at the Church of San Gaetano in Brancaccio, Don Pino regularly criticized the Cosa Nostra and its local representatives, including the Graviano brothers, who headed the Brancaccio mafia family. This required great courage, as the mafia representatives were often present during masses.

Don Pino was also not afraid to denounce corruption in the city administration and to name names. This steadfastness brought him into conflict with the Cosa Nostra.

Am Abend des 15. September 1993, an seinem 56. Geburtstag, wurde Giuseppe Puglisi vor seiner Haustür von zwei Mafiosi erschossen. Einer der Mörder, der später gefasst wurde, berichtete vor Gericht, dass Don Puglisi sie vor seinem Tod angelächelt und gesagt habe: „Damit hatte ich gerechnet.“

Eine Botschaft an die Mafia lautet: „Sagen Sie, dass Sie ein Leben ausgelöscht und ein Feuer entzündet haben.“

Palminteri beschreibt sein Kunstwerk mit den Worten: „Don Pino verkörpert das ewige Feuer des Mutes und ist nun wieder an dem Ort, an dem er als Priester mit einem Lächeln auf den Lippen versuchte, die Kinder von der Straße zu holen.“

FAI AGLI ALTRI | QUELLO CHE VORRESTI | FOSSE FATTO A TE 

Feuer, um nicht zu sagen, ein ganzes Inferno spielt auch gleich nebenan eine Rolle. – Wenn ich es richtig verstanden habe, heißt es sinngemäß. „Tue anderen an, was du möchtest. Du tust es dir an“ – Somit werden die Mörder wohl im Fegefeuer brennen. Falls ich es falsch interpretiert habe, bin ich für eine Korrektur dankbar. 

"Roveto ardente" - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

Rechts nebenan befindet sich an einer Hausfassade ein weiteres Wandgemälde von Igor Scalisi Palminteri, das auf Giuseppe Puglisi – Don „Pino“ Bezug nimmt. Ein ausgebranntes Streichholz über acht Etagen. 

„Ein Streichholz, das ein Feuer entzündet hat, das immer noch brennt.“ 

How much this fire still burns thirty years after the murder of Padre Pino can be seen in the work done in his name. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his death, the free health center for the residents of the neighborhood was presented.

 The dream of the murdered priest was to bring health to the people. to take care of the needs of people on the margins of society. The outpatient clinic "Father Pino Puglisi" will be built in a building confiscated by the mafia.

"Each of us feels in himself an inclination, a charisma. A project that makes each person unique and irretrievable. This call, this vocation is the sign of the Holy Spirit within us. Only listening to this voice can give meaning to our lives."

3P - Padre Pino Pugliso

Danisinni - Un cortile, un borgo e una fattoria 

One farm, one village and one farm 

A mural now reunites Porta Nuova and Parco Nuovo.

On one side, the mighty city gate Porta Nuova, rising proudly at the northern end of the Norman Palace. On the other side, the Parco Nuovo, with the Palazzo della Zisa, former summer residence of the Norman kings of Sicily.

In between lies Danisinni, barely 700 meters away from the Royal Palace. The Arabic staircase impresses above all for its simplicity. It connects this Arab-Norman route, in the middle of Palermo, but could equally be in Marrakech.

Danisinni seems like a secret microcosm, away from the hectic historical center of Palermo, unknown even to many locals. This is probably mainly due to the fact that there is only one road that leads in and out of the neighborhood after making a loop.

„Fiume di vita“ – Igor Scalisi Palminteri

Spannender als mit dem Auto im Kreis zu fahren, ist es dem alten Fußweg über die arabische Treppe zu folgen. Die Blautöne  des Wandgemälde „Fiume di vita“ – „Fluss des Lebens“ rücken Danisinni ein wenig ins Rampenlicht.

„Mein Team und ich haben ein Kunstwerk geschaffen, das uns zurück in die Zeit der prächtigen Mosaiken versetzt“, announced Igor Scalisi Palminteri. „Wir haben versucht, die Wunder des Palazzo Reale nachzubilden.“

Danisinni, they say, is steeped in ancient history. Legend has it that the Arab Emir Abu Sa'id, who ruled Palermo in 916, had his palace built over the source of the Papireto River, which he named after his daughter, Princess Aynsyndi. Allegedly, his treasure is still hidden here, undiscovered.

However, the history of Danisinni is not only a legend, but also marked by neglect and exclusion. But Danisinni is also a place of change and progress.

Hier fastete der berühmte „Gandhi von Sizilien,“ Danilo Dolci, ein Soziologe, Dichter, Pädagoge und Aktivist gegen Gewalt, um für die Rechte der Ausgegrenzten zu kämpfen und die extreme Armut in der Region anzuprangern.

Thanks to the Arabian staircase and the burgeoning street art scene, as well as a variety of social projects, more and more tourists have found their way to this neighborhood. It has even found its place in the renowned Lonely Planet travel guide.

Mit den Touristen kommen jedoch auch Berichte über das Viertel, darunter auch „Reisewarnungen“. Ein Artikel empfiehlt, diesen besonderen Stadtteil nicht ohne Stadtführer zu erkunden, da er angeblich immer noch als besonders gefährlich gilt. „Einige vergleichen ihn sogar mit den Favelas in Südamerika.“

However, our subjective experience says otherwise. Yes, Danisinni is poor and neglected. It is certainly not an upscale residential neighborhood. Nevertheless, we visited this neighborhood several times without a city guide, parked our car on site, and it was unharmed. No one stole our van or punctured our tires.

Of course, we wouldn't recommend partying here at night, drunk and full of gold jewelry. But Danisinni certainly has nothing in common with the favelas of Brazil. We had nice conversations with the residents and that despite our rudimentary knowledge of Italian. Facial expressions and gestures say more than words here, too.

This even led to us helping with a move where an old shopping cart was pushed up the Arab stairs. We just hope that we did not support thefts ?. Yes, the neighborhood is poor, but it also offers the opportunity to discover Palermo away from mass tourism.

"ECCE HOMO" - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

This Murale by Igor Scalisi Palminteri shows a boy sitting on a golden throne-like armchair. At first glance, it seems to depict an ideal world. At first, one perceives only the red velvet, the boy's crown, and a little lamb on his lap.

But this picture does not fit into its environment at all. Because here you see neither velvet nor silk. Instead, poverty and garbage. And behold, the boy's feet are tied with a coarse rope. The perfect world is over.

Palminteri understands his mural as a denunciation against those who wash their hands in innocence.

"Many children in our neighborhoods do not have adequate services.
Schools, libraries, sports facilities as well as parks. Whole generations are left behind on the streets. Children, and especially younger children, have never been a priority in this city. They are often victims of relentless social and educational injustice. - Their words (and I address those responsible) are empty, they have no weight because they remain only words. Their actions are as useless as the worst election promises.
Meinem kleinen ‚König‘ sind die Füße gebunden, weil diese Stadt ihn nicht an die Hand nimmt, um ihn in die Zukunft zu begleiten.“

Clear and fitting words for Palminteri. He sees himself as a fighter for the poor, simple people. So he gives them a voice.

Zu diesem Schlachtross am hinteren Ende der Piazza Danisinni wissen wir ebenso wenig, wie zu diesem „testa delle donne“. – Wer mag uns mit Informationen helfen?

Liberta

The neighborhood was so named in memory of the anti-Bourbon riots in January 1848 and their revolutionary ideals. What began here was subsequently carried as a flame of freedom through France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Denmark and....

„All who dream of freedom
Shall not miss celebrating
Shall dance even on graves

Freedom, freedom - Ist das einzige was zählt“ 

Marius Müller Westernhagen

But although this district, which lies to the north of the old city wall, bears the name Freedom, not all its inhabitants are allowed to feel free. Why not tell our next murals.

"La porta dei Giganti" - Andrea Buglisi

This is part two of a total work of art by the Palermo artist Andrea Buglisi, "The Gate of the Giants" is an absolutely appropriate name and a tribute to Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, pictured a few meters away.

Thus, the city of Palermo and its people pay tribute to two great heroes. For both judges have paid their personal fight against the Mafia with their lives.

"Gli uomini passano, le idee restano. Restano le loro tensioni morali e continueranno a camminare sulle gambe di altri uomini."

"Men pass away, ideas remain. Their moral tensions remain and they will continue to walk on the legs of other men."
Giovanni Falcone

"Spazi Capaci"

This mural is the first part of two murals of the project "La porta dei Giganti" - "The Gate of the Giants".

This work of art is full of symbolism. The person depicted, Giovanni Falcone. He was an Italian lawyer and active in the fight against the Cosa Nostra. He is considered a symbolic figure of the fight against organized crime in Sicily.

The completion date of May 18, as well as the official inauguration on May 23, 2021, are also carefully chosen. The 18th of May is the birthday and the 23rd of May is the anniversary of the death of the judge.  

The symbolic place is chosen quite deliberately. In the background the view of the sea, the cruise ships, as a symbol of freedom and cosmopolitanism of Palermo. In front of it the bunker of the Ucciardone prison. This was the scene of one of the greatest victories against the Cosa Nostra: the Maxi Trials. 

Zuletzt der Titel des Bildes „Spazi Capaci“. Dieser erinnert an den Ort des Verbrechens. 

The name of the artwork "La porta dei Giganti" is also fitting, as it is the facade of an 11-story building in Via Duca Della Verdura. Gigantic or?

The work shows emphatically that more than 30 years after the assassination, the Cosa Nostra, ital. "our cause" still exists, but so does the fight against it.

It has made martyrs out of the two judges.

"Chi ha paura muore ogni giorno, chi non ha paura muore una volta sola."

"Those who are afraid die every day, those who are not afraid die only once."

Paolo Borsellino

Other suburbs

Wo es in Palermo an Grün und oder Farbe fehlt, werden halt Graffiti eingesetzt um gegenzusteuern. „Alles so schön bunt hier“ würde Nina sicher kommentieren. 

 Falcone, seems to look at the city from above with his melancholy gaze. Paolo Borsellino seems more open. One might think that his proud gaze, with cigar in mouth, is directed towards the horizon and the sea.

Andrea Buglisi himself says about his work: "This work is inspired by Italian cinema, especially the "Spaghetti Westerns" of the 70s. Palermo in 1992 was like the Wild West.

The judges are the righteous and melancholy heroes at the same time. The green filter alludes to the armored glass in the trial. The judges' gaze protects the Palermitans, but at the same time asks them to raise their heads. They should never repeat the mistakes of the past."

Andrea Buglisi

The artist has painted an impressive river landscape with a kingfisher in the center. This landscape also includes herons, eels, frogs, water lilies and other elements of flora and fauna that represent the ecosystem of the Oreto River. This runs just a few meters below the place where the murals are found.

Although the Oreto River is not used by the citizens of Palermo, it is still of great importance to Palermo as a natural resource. The intention of this image is to create at least a visual connection between the river and the adjacent neighborhood.

The entire artwork covers an area of almost 500 square meters. It includes a bus stop, as well as an old transformer house. The design plays with some creative elements. While at the same time it shows an almost nostalgic, retro charm.

The original windows of the main building are protected by square red metal grilles. These become a graphic motif and bring a certain continuity. 

Der Künstler sagt dazu: „Jedes Lebewesen, sei es eine Pflanze oder eine Frucht, sucht seinen Platz in dem angestrebten Lebensraum, in dem Mensch und Natur in Harmonie zusammenleben können.“ – In diesem Sinne spricht dieses Murale, wie weitere Werke des Künstlers, ökologische und nachhaltige Themen an.  

„Fantastico“

Murals with bunnies ? and birds ? always remind me a little of Easter. What do you think?

No turtle will help there ? Or?
For this old house, ruin, in via Mendola, corner Filippo Coranzza, we would like to make an exception.

On Google Maps, the house is still visible without decorative accessories as of October 2023. We find it exciting to see how much this street art has changed the ruin.

We don't know if FANTASTICO is signature or expression of a feeling. Either way, we join.

If anyone knows more about this work, we welcome feedback.

„Kunst ist alles, was man sich erlauben kann.“

Andy Warhol

Citta Universitaria

Part 1 of our Palermo street art series ended on the grounds of the university. And also our today's contribution shall end here. Because in the upper part you could almost think that street art is limited to the neglected neighborhoods. And yes, the focus of the artists is certainly to give the gray and often dreary facades in the rather run-down neighborhoods a little color. But it is also about denouncing grievances and violence. And there are issues there it makes no difference whether you are rich or poor, whether you come from a run-down or more bourgeois environment, whether ignorant or educated.

And so, here on the university grounds, there are two works of art that point out grievances that stop neither at the barrier of the university grounds nor at educational stands.

But before we go into these in more detail, let's take a quick look at this work. We don't know the creator or anything else about these heads. Who knows more?

NON SONO SOLO - Igor Scalisi Palminteri

I AM NOT ALONE - Also here is the neighborhood artist Igor Scalisi Palminteri. He says himself about this work:

„Ich wollte die Geschichte eines Jungen erzählen, der drogenabhängig war: Eine Geschichte mit einem glücklichen Ende, die jedoch unauslöschliche Narben hinterlassen hat. Eine Geschichte wie viele, zu viele, wie viele Menschen, um die man sich kümmern muss. Es gibt ganze Generationen, die vom Tsunami der Drogen betroffen sind und denen man gerne sagen würde: Du bist nicht allein, ich bin nicht allein.“

When I read these words, I realize once again how lucky I was in this regard. I was never a child of sadness, I tried many things in my youth, from which it is better to keep your hands off. Apparently I didn't have much potential for addiction. Otherwise I would have burned more than my fingers. But I am also aware that the border is fluid. Although my addiction factor seems to be small, it could have caught me just as well. 

That's why I have all the more respect for the people who have managed to find their way out of their personal addiction. 

„Niemand ist immun gegen die Sucht; sie befällt Menschen aller Altersgruppen, Rassen, Klassen und Berufe.“ Patrick J. Kennedy

"Di rose rosse e d'amor fendente" - Daniela Balsamo

A mural which depicts a man, a woman and a sheep as a porcelain figure. This looks harmonious only at first glance. The couple seems to embrace each other in love. The male protagonist holds in one hand the roses, but in the other a hidden knife. While even the sheep seems to suspect what follows, the lady seems unprepared.

Unter dem Wandgemälde steht “Di rose rosse e d’amor fendente” – „Von roten Rosen und aufschlitzender Liebe“.

The street art is by Daniela Balsamo. We find the ambiguity of her sheep particularly successful. It still seems deeply embedded in our society to make the perpetrator the victim. "She should have known". - "Any sheep would have known". - No, a victim is and remains the victim!

The lady's shoes, as well as the roses are red. We were told that red color, in Italy symbolizes violence against women. Who knows if this is true?

 "One must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence strengthens the tormentor, never the tormented."

Elie Wiesel

When images become weapons

I discovered the murals of Padre Pino Pugliso in Brancaccio purely by chance. Nevertheless, they are a good example that the plan of Igor Scalisi Palminteri and his comrades-in-arms is working. Street art can be used wonderfully as a political weapon. It doesn't hurt, and yet it moves much more than I would have suspected at first glance. Because er gives voice to the suburbs.

If the murals had not existed there, I would not have stopped. I would not have photographed the murals, nor would I have researched them. I probably would never have heard the name of Padre Pino, would never have learned about his deeds, nor about his death. Certainly I would not have noticed any news about a clinic in his name. I probably would never have consciously driven through the district of Sperone, and I certainly would not have walked through Danisinni. - Thus, I would not have written about it.

That is why I would like to share this article Igor Scalisi Palminteri, as deputy of his guild. I thank him for opening my eye.

„Als ich hierher kam, spürte ich dieses Gefühl der Verlassenheit und Vernachlässigung seitens des Staates…

...and the institutions, who do not care about the citizens, the girls and boys. Ein Staat, der nur sprechen und Konzepte zum Ausdruck bringen kann, die er nicht in die Praxis umsetzen kann, der nicht die Hände haben kann, um diese Länder zu streicheln und die soziale Gerechtigkeit aufzubauen, die diese Orte und diese Menschen brauchen.“ – Igor

Snapshot

Palermo, the surrounding area and Sicily like it colorful. Since ss all forms of street art are ephemeral, this is our contribution to preserve a few of them. We consider it as a personal inventory. Without any claim to completeness. We are and remain open to new ideas. Therefore, it could be that this contribution will never be completely finished. 

If you see something you can't find here, feel free to let me know. - Thank you!

Added value - Links

Ciao, travelers and connoisseurs! If you are looking for the perfect home away from home in Palermo, we have just the thing for you: Palazzo Vetrano, an exceptional apartment in the heart of the old town. Here you can expect historical charm, modern comfort and an unbeatable location in the Centro Storico.

And that's just the beginning! Dive deeper into the vibrant world of Palermo and discover that the Centro Storico is more than just an ordinary old town. Follow us to Mercato di Ballaro, where you can not only find street food, but also taste a piece of Palermo's soul. But beware: Palermo's street food can be addictive!

When you've had enough of feasting, let yourself be enchanted by Palermo's street art. Here, walls become canvases and graffiti becomes works of art. And if you want to feel the adrenaline in your veins, experience the Targa Florio - a street race that makes Sicily shake! Prefer to discover a small fishing town? - How about Cefalù - So, discover the diversity of Palermo and Sicily. Start here:

• Palazzo Vetrano - The somewhat different vacation apartment 
• Palermo Centro Storico: [More than just an old town?]
• Mercato di Ballaro: [Palermo's oldest market offers more than street food
• Palermo Street Food:
• Street Art Palermo: Part I or Part II or Part III or Part IV and to round off Part V
• Targa Florio Part I and Part II
• Cefalù - More than a fishing village
• Madonie - You love Nature, small villages and delicious and local cuisine

And if you want to retire after an exciting day, Palazzo Vetrano, the perfect apartment in Ballaro, Palermo Old Town awaits you. Here you can relax and plan new adventures. Book today and make your dream vacation come true!