From canvas to concrete: the power of storytelling in Milan’s street art

The Purpose
There are 88 districts in Milan, so organizing the creation of graffiti or mural art for each has been a huge undertaking. In each case, the location of the artwork and its creative construction comes from a collaboration between the commissioned artists and the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

The Challenge
Milan wanted to devise large-scale murals using the name of each area of the city. The varied artworks are also designed to act as a focal point for local identity and community.

Together, the 88 component pieces combine as a connected work of art that links Milan’s urban spaces.

The Solution
The main agencies involved in organizing the work are Yes Milano, as the promotion agency of the City, and Ufficio Arte Pubblica (the Public Art Bureau), acting as the curator, responsible for the research and production of the murals. However, at each project site, the work involves curators and groups who are experts in Milanese Street art, alongside artists and locals. Together, they experiment with urban art and visual storytelling, exploring the historic and modern identity of each place.

Sites have included schools, libraries and public houses, increasing the sense of inclusion for those who use these amenities. The project is also designed to address the historic absence of women as creators of street art, specifically commissioning female artists, creatives and illustrators.

The Impact
Each work is intended to tell the story and convey the micro-worlds of each neighbourhood. Together, the 88 component pieces combine as a connected work of art that links Milan’s urban spaces. This has been a significant challenge for Ufficio Arte Pubblica, which has needed to build a coordination framework, take care of the needs of stakeholders in each area, and keep track of a vast relationship network.

This is the first transversal mural project in the city, generating works that are completely different from each other but based on a scalable project. As the creation of works continues in 2022, the community of Milanese artists is being strengthened and is also open to collaboration with artists from other cities.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © Getty/Canva