OSGEMEOS paints massive subway surfer on the hangarbicocca building in milan

beginning this year, the large area outside pirelli hangarbicocca’s cubo building in milan will be used for annual site-specific works commissioned to a selection of international artists. for the inaugural edition of this program called ‘outside the cube’, brazilian artist twins OSGEMEOS present their first major mural in italy — ‘efêmero’, meaning ‘ephemeral’. this first intervention defines the initiative’s intention as a dedicated platform for street art and other forms of creative activity connected to urban and public contexts.

‘efêmero’ is OSGEMEOS’ first major mural in italy
image courtesy of walls of milano

the industrial history of the pirelli hangarbicocca building informs the concept of the project — train locomotives were built during the twentieth century there, and it maintains a close proximity to railway lines that run parallel to the site. ‘efêmero’ recreates the silhouette of a city train on a monumental scale as it speeds through the local landscape on an imaginary voyage. the figure who clings to the front of the train car epitomizes OSGEMEOS‘ blend of hip-hop culture, ‘wildstyle’ graffiti, and the colors, nature and urban atmosphere native to their home of são paulo, brazil.

the composition seemingly speeds through the local landscape on an imaginary voyage
photo by sha ribeiro / courtesy of the artists and pirelli hangarbicocca

the figure who clings to the front of the train car epitomizes OSGEMEOS’ artistic style
photo by sha ribeiro / courtesy of the artists and pirelli hangarbicocca

train locomotives were built during the twentieth century on the site of the museum
photo by sha ribeiro / courtesy of the artists and pirelli hangarbicocca