Vicenza: commemorative plaque to Robert Vargas, the artist who created the mural of San Biagio: a “horizontal” tribute to Andrea Palladio.

The unveiling took place this morning in the presence of the mayor of Vicenza Giacomo Possamai and the artist himself.

"In this way - commented the mayor Giacomo Possamai – citizens and tourists, as well as the American community based in Vicenza and the students of the new IUAV University headquarters in the former Aci building, they will be informed of this masterpiece of contemporary art donated to the city by an internationally renowned artist."

Robert Vargas is in fact one of the most successful street artists in America. The only living artist to whom the city of Los Angeles has dedicated a square, capable of creating giant murals that have become iconic, such as the one in memory of the basketball champion Koby Briant.

Last year, during one of his summer tours where Vargas loves to bring his art among the people, he also stopped in Vicenza thanks to the creative collaboration started some time ago with the Vicenza artist Sangy.

Here the municipal administration had made available to him, in record time, a wall where he could leave a sign of his art, in Piazzetta San Biagio. A wall which, however, had some significant logistical complexities. It was already covered in graffiti stratified by time and above all it was long and low, which is the opposite of the classic high and wide surfaces used for this type of art.

But the talent of the American artist took these limits as a challenge and created a work that was revolutionary in its own way: a “horizontal” tribute to Andrea Palladio.

A true stroke of genius.

The work was titled by Vargas “The Soul of Vicenza”, to symbolize, through the authoritative vision of a great figurative artist, that the soul of Vicenza corresponds to that of its most illustrious citizen.