The Cavallo con gualdrappa statue

A quick contemporary art moment! If you look around you, you might notice two surprising artworks. One is monumental, covering an entire building, while the other quietly stands in the middle of the square. Together, they showcase a more modern side of Bari, very different from the historical churches and palaces. Let’s start with the building on your right, the Palazzo dell’Economia. Impossible to miss: its façade is covered with a huge black and white zigzag pattern that stretches across several floors. Many visitors think it’s an original architectural cladding… but it’s not. This façade is actually a street art piece created in 2013 by the Italian artist duo Sten & Lex. Their technique is quite spectacular. They first applied large printed posters with a geometric pattern to the entire façade. Then, they cut out the lines of the design and tore off the paper. The result: this hypnotic optical pattern that completely transforms the building. The people of Bari even gave the building a nickname: “lo Spigato Gigante,” meaning the giant chevron. This choice is no accident. In the 2000s, the building was completely renovated, but this transformation was heavily criticized in Bari. Many elements of the original architecture were lost, and many thought the building had been disfigured. So, the artist duo took over this controversial façade and gave it a new visual identity, turning a criticized building into a monumental work of art. Now, look ahead. Do you see that statue of a horse? It too deserves a moment of attention. This sculpture is called Cavallo con gualdrappa and was created in 1985 by Italian artist Mario Ceroli. The horse is covered with a gualdrappa, a large decorative blanket that was once used in ceremonies or parades. But there’s one detail that always intrigues visitors: where is the rider? In traditional equestrian statues, you almost always see a king, a general, or a hero. Here, the horse is alone. The artist plays with this idea: he takes the classic form of the equestrian monument... but removes the main character. So, we’re left with a horse ready for a ceremony, as if it’s waiting for someone who will never come. In the end, Bari isn’t just about churches and impressive façades; it’s also contemporary art that steps directly into the street.