The monument that RIAR(Italian Alfa Romeo Register)dedicated to 100 years of Alfa Romeo was unveiled at Fiera Milano last 26th June in front of a passionate crowd.
A great meltdown of gilded bronze which weighs in a two tonnes, four metres high, five metres long and three metres wide.
A monument which is an anthem to design and speed, represented by the sleek and timeless lines of an automobile (inspired by the 1900 model Disco Volante by Alfa Romeo) in a fiery start, framed by two stylised obelisks.
Fiera Milano enthusiastically joined in the celebrations, locating the sculpture conceived by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and create by the Milanese artist Agostino Bonalumi in a prestigious spot: at the principle entrance (South Door) of the exhibition district at Rho.
Here the work of art – which is reflected in one of the two large water features in front of the exhibition centre – was officially unveiled in the presence of Michele Perini, president of Fiera Milano and Stefano D’Amico, presidente of the RIAR. The placing of the moment was a highlight during the Alfa Romeo centenary celebrations, which brought to Milan and to the exhibition centre (the starting point for the motorcades going into the city) thousands of alfisti from across the world. This passionate lot witnessed the unveiling of the sculpture, to which some exceptional vintage Alfa’s provided the backdrop, like the RL Torpedo Carrozzeria Castagna from 1924; the 6C 1750 GTC Carrozzeria Touring from 1931, once owned by Gabriele d’Annunzio and with plates from Italian-colonized Libya; the 8 cylinder Alfa 2300 Tipo Monza X Nuvolari from 1932; and the 1900 Disco Volante Coupé from 1954. To celebrate the event the Italian Post Office issued a stamp dedicated to the event, and a special frank which portrays the monument at the exhibition centre.
“The Alfa Romeo – confirms Michele Perini, president of Fiera Milano Spa – is the industrial story of Milan, and a demonstration to the world of Italian excellence in creativity and technology. For 90 years Fiera Milano has been the stage for Italian industry and the best of made-in-Italy. It seemed only natural that if a symbolic location in Milan should host Bonalumi’s work of art, that place should be Fiera Milano. This monument, which from this moment on will welcome our visitors from across the world, gives the exhibition centre and that which it represents, extra meaning, reminding us of the perseverance, sheer hard work and passion of those who here display the results of their labours“.
“Alfa Romeo reaches 100 years of age, and RIAR has been at the side of the Milanese company for at least 50 of them, sharing in many of their successes and in their amazing story – adds Stefano d’Amico, RIAR president. Passion for Alfa aside, these are the reasons which have inspired the creation of a monument dedicated to Alfa and the Alfa work force; a magnificent work of art in bronze desired by many RIAR members and by several hundred Alfa enthusiasts across the world. An important object which embodies all the values and feelings which Alfa Romeo has given us in 100 years of successes and transmits to the future the spirit and craftsmanship of Italian style“.
