“Botanica Resistente” : Etnik and “a constant struggle for survival” in Rome.

Italian street artist Etnik has created a new “Botanica Resistente” in Rome to commemorate “Liberation Day” in Italy, which marks April 25th as the end of the Nazi’s occupation and the liberation from Fascism.

Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)

He calls the colorful and abstractly organic 4-story work “Botanica Resistente”, which he says may have multiple readings. Mostly, it is “A direct reference to the toponymy that characterizes the whole district of Centocelle – with its streets named after plants, trees, and flowers.”

As a story of overcoming great obstacles and thriving in adversity, he also posits that “in the mural concrete blocks, asphalt and artificial works succumb to natural elements, giving life to a slow but gradual reconquest of spaces taken from nature.”

Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)

“The work is representative of familiar urban corners, on the border, where between asphalt and concrete, spontaneous plants are in a constant struggle for survival.”

Etnik
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)

Completed in conjunction with the help and guidance of Mirko Pierri, curator of urban art for the a.DNA association, Etnik took about 5 days to transform this facade of the Liceo Scientifico Statale Francesco D’Assisi, between via Castore Durante e Viale Palmiro Togliatti.

Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
Etnik. “Botanica Resistente”. Centocelle, Rome. Italy 2021. (photo © Mirko Pierri)
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