Santa Maria Capua Vetere – With its 5.441,93 square meters, the mural “Freedom” by artist Alessandro Ciambrone officially enters the Guinness World Records as the largest work in the world created by a single artist.
The record was certified by judge Lorenzo Veltri, who validated the measurements on the facade of the “Francesco Uccella” prison, surpassing the previous record of 2008 held by the Spaniard Jorge López de Guereñu (3.595 mXNUMX in Bilbao).
A colossal work, a universal message
Painted in 50 days of non-stop work, day and night, the mural celebrates UNESCO sites on all continents, enriched by quotes from Nobel Prize winners and historical figures on themes such as peace, human rights and the valorization of cultural heritage.
“I made a dream come true, and I did it thanks to the director Donatella Rotundo, who believed in this vision,”** said Ciambrone, originally from Castel Volturno. “I thank the Penitentiary Police and the entrepreneurs who supported this social project.”
A prison that transforms into an artistic hub
The work is not only a record, but the symbol of a rebirth for the penitentiary, as explained by director Rotundo:
“Alessandro has given hope to this place. We are creating a unique artistic and entrepreneurial district in the world, with a restaurant – the first in Southern Italy in a prison – and tourist visits. We want it to be an open space, not just for detention”.
The project is destined to grow:
160 sentences from the mural will be “adopted” by schools in Campania, with the possibility of adding new ones.
A second wall will be painted by students and prisoners (article 21), with a view to inclusion.
A documentary by director Giuseppe Alessio Nuzzo will tell the story of the feat, with a soundtrack performed by students from Campanian institutes.
Patrons and supporters
The work was financed by companies and foundations such as Carpisa, Lavazza, Fondazione Banco Napoli and Banca Credito Cooperativo Terra di Lavoro, covering all expenses.
It's great to see such a great work as 'Freedom', but I wonder if the prisoners can really benefit from this project in the long term. Let's hope there are more similar initiatives in the future to improve their lives.