LIVE ART by Raffaele Salvoldi

The artist

Raffaele Salvoldi is an Italian artist who, after ten years of experience in the audiovisual sector as a director of photography - working on projects ranging from documentary to fashion - began his artistic path in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. His material of choice is Kapla planks, a children’s construction toy that in his hands becomes a tool for reflection, patience, and meditation. His first works were created within the domestic space, giving shape to a language unique in the world, where balance and time merge into ephemeral architectures. Through social media, this practice quickly captured public interest and led to his first exhibitions. In 2022, Salvoldi presented his first exhibition of temporary works at Casa Bossi, a neoclassical masterpiece by architect Alessandro Antonelli in Novara. From this experience emerged the desire to enhance sites of historical and cultural significance through ephemeral art. Between 2023 and 2025, he created installations in museums and international venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Castle of Agliè, also collaborating with companies in the design sector, which led him to experiment with new materials - from natural stone to recycled plastic. In 2024, together with a team of professionals, he founded La Città Immaginaria APS, a non-profit cultural association that promotes large-scale educational and installation programs, bringing together art, architecture, and public participation. The association also places strong emphasis on the creation of educational pathways and workshops within schools and museums, aimed at all age groups.

The artwork

This form of art, currently unique in the world, can be defined as ephemeral kinetic art. Salvoldi builds his works by patiently placing thousands of Kapla planks one on top of another - without glue, nails, or joints - allowing himself to be guided by rhythm and the surrounding space. Each creation is born without a predetermined design, evolving spontaneously in dialogue with the environment that hosts it. The temporary nature of the installations and their final demolition through a domino effect invite reflection on the fragility of beauty and on the power of small gestures, capable of generating unpredictable consequences. A poetic parallel between art, nature, architectural heritage, and human relationships. All works are created using natural or reclaimed materials - wood, stone, or recycled plastic - highlighting the importance of sustainability and reuse as foundational values of the project.