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Italian artist Vesod Brero (1981) is celebrated for his surrealist creations featuring mathematical elements and striking visuals. Through his art, Vesod aims to challenge the notion of the eternal present by bringing to life the three dimensions of space and time. His works are inspired by the concept of “God’s point of view” and portray a total embrace of things from birth to death.
His mural masterpiece, “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, brings to life the beloved tale of Pico and Pomona from Roman mythology. This work of art delves into themes of love, metamorphism, and vengeance. Through intricate details and masterful execution, the piece draws the viewer into a world of ancient myths and timeless stories. The mural is curated by Arte Pubblica, an art project born in 2015 with Associazione Culturale Defloyd.
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Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image Copyright Daniele Castelli / Old Boy Film Creation di Andrea Giancarli Simone La Mantia
In Roman mythology, Pico, the son of Saturn, was a fascinating figure known for his skill in horsemanship and divination. He was also a man of great beauty, admired by many nymphs and naiads. However, his heart belonged to Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees and gardens.
Close up of Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image copyright Ettore Malaspina
Pomona consented to marriage before Circe, a powerful witch, intervened. Circe tries to seduce Pico with her charms and herbs, but he rejects her advances. In retaliation, Circe turns him into a woodpecker as punishment for scorning her love. Below is the explanation received for Vesod’s work.
“The work deals with the legend of Pico and Pomona, which tells of Pico, son of the god Saturn, madly in love with the Goddess Pomona, the patron deity of gardens and orchards. Pico, in order to enter the palace of the Goddess Pomona, had disguised himself as an old woman. The Goddess Pomona welcomed the old woman as a good friend of hers, but at a certain point, Pico took on her true form again. This change had a certain effect on the Goddess Pomona, who, however, gave in to Pico’s requests by accepting him as her husband. The Goddess Circe was in love with Saturn, Pico’s father, but at the same time, she was rejected by him, so she wanted to take revenge on her son and transform Pico into a bird: the Woodpecker. Subsequently, Picchio, who in the meantime had consecrated himself to the God Mars, met a tribe of young Sabines who were travelling in search of new lands and had descended to the Adriatic Sea. The Woodpecker landed on their banners, and this was interpreted as a sign of the benevolence of the gods. The young Sabines settled along the banks of the Tronto River, united with the native populations and founded the Picena civilization. Therefore, the artist Vesod Brero, taking inspiration from the legend, represented the love between Pomona and Pico after his metamorphosis: a love that continues despite everything. This is how, having become a woodpecker, Pico sculpts his beloved Pomona into a tree trunk.
Despite Pico’s avine transformation, he remains an intriguing figure in Roman mythology and is admired for his skills and love for Pomona.
Close up of Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image copyright Ettore Malaspina
Inspired by this legend, Vesod depicted the love between Pico and Pomona after Pico’s metamorphosis. Their love continued despite everything, so Pico, now a woodpecker, sculpted his beloved Pomona into a tree trunk, symbolising their eternal love.
Close up of Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image copyright Ettore Malaspina
In all his works, Vesod inserts symbols, architecture or geometric shapes: here, the hexagons recall the number six, which symbolises the union of man and woman (Pico and Pomona), and in the background, there is the city of Ascoli Piceno, whose symbol is the woodpecker.
Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image copyright Ettore Malaspina
The background reveals typical historical places in Ascoli Piceno on the left, the Cecco or Devil’s Bridge, and on the right, the Roman bridge and the Solestà gate. Vesod’s deft use of symbolism and composition brings a multi-layered depth to his work, inviting the viewer to explore and discover the hidden meanings within.
Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image Copyright Daniele Castelli / Old Boy Film Creation di Andrea Giancarli Simone La Mantia
Vesod’s”P_k0″ is a mural masterpiece that will continue to be enjoyed by generations. The mural is located in Via Zandonai 1, Ascoli Piceno, Italy. It was commissioned by the Marche Region, the Municipality of Ascoli Piceno, the Defloyd Cultural Association, UNICAM, UTEAP, and the Ascoli Cultura Foundation.
Close up of Vesod’s Mural “P_k0” in Ascoli Piceno. Image copyright Ettore Malaspina
Image Copyright Daniele Castelli @danicastelli , Old Boy Film Creation di Andrea Giancarli @oldboyfilmcreation and Simone La Mantia @simon_mov
and Ettore Malaspina.