Metamorfosi sociali by Serena Gianoli | Blu Art in Rome’s 8th municipality

Funded by regional funds, the “Blu Art - i colori dell’aria” (Blu Art - the colors of the air) project is one of the measures with which the city administration aims to combat air pollution while enhancing the city’s streets and squares through art, with urban redevelopment projects involving all of the city’s municipalities.

Jungle communications agency selected five artists (Marco Oggian, ScombinAnto, Serena Gianoli, GeometricBang, and Elisabetta Vedovato) to create street art on pavements using water-based paints produced from recycled raw materials. A non-toxic compound applied to the surface helps improve air quality by absorbing pollutants (including fine and ultrafine particulate matter such as PM10, PM2.5, and PM0.5). The color palette used is reminiscent of environmental maps showing air pollution levels.

The work created by Serena Gianoli for Rome’s 8th municipality (in Via Benedetto Croce) interprets human behavior through an animal metaphor: the artwork recreates a faunal dimension of the environment, an evocative image with a mountain at sunset crossed by a bird that, through a sequence of geometric shapes, transforms into a fish. This metamorphosis represents the connection between sky, earth, and water, emphasizing the fluidity and continuity of nature in all its manifestations. The work occupies an area of 94 square meters. If treated with “smog-eating” paints, this surface can absorb a quantity of CO₂ and polluting particulates equal to that of over 30 mature trees.  

Serena Gianoli is a professional illustrator and graphic designer based in Milan. She comes from the world of comics (Milan Comics Academy) and works in various sectors (branding, publishing and customised projects), combining creativity and visual research. She loves to translate her stories and values through bold lines and vibrant colors, alternating with black and white strokes.