Andrea Olivari
Piazza Gae Aulenti is a modern, circular, elevated square located in the Porta-Nuova/Isola district of Milan; it was inaugurated in 2012 and designed by the architect Cesar Pelli.
It is dominated by the UniCredit Tower, the tallest building in Italy (231 meters), and is located near other icons of the skyline, such as the Bosco Verticale.
At the center is a large system of circular overflow fountains featuring water displays and lighting, along with a 105-meter-long sculptural bench and photovoltaic canopies.
All around, there are bookstores, cafés, places to eat, and shops belonging to well-known brands.
Amidst the frenzy of Milan Design Week, as part of the Fuorisalone, this square is an ideal spot to sit, rest, and gather one’s thoughts, especially for someone like me who loves water and/or water features.
They relax the mind, and the sound of rushing water, splashes, and trickling drops has a calming effect, making you forget, for a few moments, that you live in a city hundreds of kilometers away from the sea.
Jokes aside, this is the setting in which I discovered an installation by Andrea Olivari: a stomach adorned with brightly colored butterflies, creatures I happen to love, with a large inscription on the pedestal: “MY STOMACH WHEN I’M WITH YOU.”
WOW…
Who hasn’t heard or read this phrase before, especially in the context of falling in love? In any case, after a silent “wow,” I took some photos, promising myself that once I got home, I would look into it further to discover the meaning behind the installation and find out who had created it.
And so I did.
Below, I have included his biography, taken from his website. I also recommend visiting his Instagram profile, “andreaolivari”.
I must confess that this contemporary artist has really impressed me.
In an era of wars, aggressive political rhetoric, unspeakable levels of crudeness, haters, and trolls and at a time when values once taken for granted are, in fact, not to be taken for granted at all… his works, his installations, and even simple phrases possess an enormous, almost revolutionary power. Simple, direct, they make you think and reflect. And they give you hope for a better world. Thank you, Andrea Olivari.
Enjoy the reading, and don’t forget to visit the Gallery, I hope you enjoy the photos.
Gabriella Ruggieri for 1blog4u
P.S. Here is a link to a short video I found on YouTube, in case you’d like to see what Piazza Gae Aulenti is like https://youtu.be/rFR8BZIi52g?is=Fct-OwlioBPYXg0A
Who is Andrea Olivari
Andrea Olivari (29th March 1997, Pavullo nel Frignano, Modena, Italy) is an Italian artist and visual creator working across 3D, Fake Out Of Home (FOOH), digital installations, and urban imagery, exploring emotions, vulnerability, and human relationships through a contemporary visual language.
He grew up with a strong passion for football, which became his first form of discipline and expression. After a series of injuries forced him to step away from competitive sport, Andrea came to understand that dreams do not disappear, they transform. This shift marked the beginning of his artistic journey.
After completing a scientific high school education, he moved to Bologna to study interior and graphic design at Istituto Polo Michelangelo. From the very start, his focus was clear: bringing art into public space by creating installations that could engage directly with cities and people. He began with painting and the study of the human figure, gradually integrating digital tools until discovering 3D as the medium that redefined his way of thinking about images.
In 2020, he launched Art at the Service of the Community, a fundraising project supporting the Croce Verde of his hometown during the pandemic through the sale of 3D artworks printed on canvas. In the following years, he also explored photography, mainly fashion and architecture, as a parallel, personal practice.
After graduating, Andrea worked as a 3D artist in an architecture studio.
Although professionally stimulating, the role did not fully reflect his creative identity. He began merging painting and 3D, developing digital, sculptural works focused on the human condition and emotional connections, moving beyond flat imagery toward an installation-oriented dimension.
In 2023, together with artist Cristian Bragaglio, he organized his first traveling exhibitions in Milan, Brescia, and Bologna, addressing the theme of plastic pollution. Andrea created the artworks and curated both the exhibition design and visual communication. In 2024, he presented his first solo exhibition, Arte in Movimento, exploring introspection and love through surreal, human-centered compositions printed on photographic paper.
A key turning point came with the discovery of Fake Out Of Home (FOOH), 3D digital installations placed in real environments, capable of simulating monumental interventions without physical construction. From 2024 onward, Andrea specialized in this language, collaborating with national and international brands and returning to his original vision: creating urban installations free from logistical and bureaucratic constraints through digital media.
During Milan Design Week 2024, he took his first step from digital to physical space. His installation In case of love at first sight, break the glass, originally conceived as a digital intervention in Piazza Duomo, was physically recreated in the window of Savò with the support of the design brand Magis.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, Andrea’s creative process evolved further. Initially perceived as a threat, AI became an allied tool, enabling faster production and a more precise translation of his imagination into images. His works began circulating widely, generating dialogue rather than spectacle, aiming for recognition and emotional connection.
Today, Andrea Olivari’s goal is clear: to transform digital visions into real, physical installations.
In April 2026, Andrea Olivari took part in Milan Design Week (Fuorisalone), presenting some of his most iconic installations in monumental scale in the Portanuova District. For the first time, his works moved from the digital world into the physical one, fulfilling his dream of bringing art into public spaces and enriching cities through meaningful installations.
The project, “Blooming Imperfection – Relationships in Progress,” transformed part of Milan for a few days, inviting people to reflect on emotions, relationships, and everyday experiences they often carry within themselves.
Standing in front of the installations, it becomes difficult to remain indifferent. When an artwork reflects something you experience every day, it encourages you to pause, observe, and reconnect with yourself.
In that moment, you realize you are not simply looking at a contemporary artwork, you are experiencing something that speaks directly to your own life.
Andrea Olivari is an artist and designer whose work is built around a direct, essential, and accessible visual language. His installations go beyond aesthetics, transforming public spaces into places of dialogue, emotional connection, and shared human experiences (www.andreaolivari.com)
Visit the Gallery (ph. Vaifro Minoretti for 1blog4u)
