The tandem of illustrators has left

The clock showed 4pm when the tandem set off. At that moment the doors of the Tapirulan gallery opened, where the first exhibition of the day was inaugurated, that of Ane Arzelus, winner last year of the eighteenth edition of the Tapirulan Illustrators Contest. Spanish illustrator, talented, funny and colourful, explained to the public her exhibition, Ingenio, which brings together around fifty illustrations from her large portfolio.

Soon it was time to move to the Violin Museum for the opening of the other scheduled exhibitions. The arrival could only take place in tandem, with Fabio Toninelli (president of the Tapirulan Association) and Ane Arzelus on board, for a triumphal (let us exaggerate every now and then) entry into Piazza Marconi in Cremona.

The day was, as usual, long and intense. The first exhibition was presented, created in collaboration with the Alfredo and Carlo Azzini collection of ancient bicycles and bicycles: a selection of 4 vintage tandems, including a small gem, a very rare English vehicle from 1889, very similar to the one used by the American artist Joseph Pennell and his wife Elizabeth during their trip to Italy. From that journey they made a pleasant story, Two pilgrims progress, with illustrations by Pennell himself (two of which are reproduced in the exhibition).

After the institutional greetings from the Councilor for Culture Luca Burgazzi and the Mayor of Cremona Gianluca Galimberti (who, being in his last mandate, we take this opportunity to greet and thank), the presentation of the authors on display and the award ceremony of the competition began. The Popular Prize (result of online voting) was awarded to Stefania Mallegni, who with 368 votes excelled over Manuela Marazzi (263 votes) and Jessica Antonini (231 votes).

The Critics’ Prize was awarded to the Belgian illustrator couple Jacques & Lise and their work Tandem against itself.

But the time has come to talk about the special guest of this edition: Franco Matticchio. His personal exhibition, No entry, is a collection of over 200 original works coming both from the artist’s personal archive and from numerous private collectors, which have made it possible to set up a complete journey from the career of the illustrator and cartoonist from Varese. A special thank you therefore goes to them, as well as to Franco Matticchio for having accepted our invitation:

Gianni Biolcati
Angelo Castagnola
Serena Coloni
Giulia Crivelli
Fausto De Crecchio
Chiara D’Ippolito
Giovanna Durì
Chiara Fasser
Silvio Matticchio
Andrea Pagliardi
Annachiara Sartori
Cristina Taverna
Maurizio Zanei
Maurizio Zorat

The final moments were reserved for a small but important celebration, at least as far as we are concerned: Tapirulan was established as an association in March 2004, so this year it turns 20, at least as an association. The birthday cake was a must…