CHOKOLASHOW
On 9 May, the prestigious Tunnel Riva, a few steps away from Monaco’s Hercule port, hosted the first edition of CHOKOLASHOW, an event coordinated by the Monaco International Hub association and sponsored by the Italian Embassy in Monaco, which aims to highlight the creativity of young artists invited to sculpt blocks of chocolate. The theme chosen for this year’s event, which inspired them to create their sculptures, was selected single-seaters competing in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. But there had not been a lack of generosity either, as the ephemeral sculptures had an admirer or collector who had become their owner after they auctioned off for the benefit of eight charities in the Principality of Monaco.
On the morning of 2 May, at the Bottega del Gelato, partner of the event, the delivery ceremony of the 8 chocolate blocks (12 kg each) assigned to 8 students from the School of Plastic Arts of Monaco (Pavillon Bosio) and the Academy of Fine Arts of Sanremo, participants in the first edition of Chokolashow, took place.
During the event, at the request of the Monaco International Hub association, chaired by the journalist Maria Bologna, each of the students present drew their own card corresponding to the model of car competing in the next Historic Grand Prix of Monte Carlo, from which they had to draw their inspiration. One of the missions of Chokolashow was to transform the main iconic events of the host country into art, i.e. through themes that can be interpreted with chocolate, and at the same time put it at the service of charities. All 8 participants in Chokolashow and Caroline Bergonzi herself – a professional artist from Monaco chosen to create a composition out of competition – had until 8 May afternoon to create their sculptures, which was exhibited on 9 May, as part of the set-up hosted inside the prestigious Riva Tunnel.
Opened to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (free entrance), this first edition of Chokolashow offers visitors the chance to appreciate not only chocolate workshops and tastings – including those offered by Claudio Rossi who, for the occasion, has created 4 chocolate sorbets with single origin cocoa, 2 ice creams created with 2 other types of cocoa and 2 other types of chocolate, Gold (caramel) and Rum – but also to admire the sculptures destined that same evening – from 8 p.m. to be precise – for auction sale by Wannenes:00 – at the auction held by Wannenes. Other tasty chocolate workshops was also expected. Moreover, each work, at 8 p.m. on the same evening of 9 May, was matched, again by drawing lots, with each of the 8 Monegasque charities that had benefit from the profits of the auction organised by Wannenes Art Contact. To finish, to the work that had been most appreciated by the representatives of the same associations Les Enfants de Frankie, Action Innocence, Passion Sea, Fight Aids Monaco, MAP, AMAPEI, Association de Bienfaisance Eugenio Benedetti Gaglio, Société protectice des animaux), members of the Monaco International Hub, partners and other personalities took part in the initiative, the Chokolashow trophy, also made of chocolate, had been presented by artist Belinda Bussotti.
According to the organisers of Chokolashow and the creator of the format, Maria Bologna, the initiative since its first edition offers a ‘creative’ opportunity to young artists who want to express themselves through a new material, i.e. chocolate scraps compressed into a single block, plastic and malleable, and, by coordinating with an auction house for the sale of the works, be able to contribute to the cause and projects carried out with courage and seriousness by associations that for years have been employing human and financial resources to alleviate suffering, but also to help and assist those in real need.
To participate in the Chokolashow auction, please write directly to info@chokolashow.com or phone +377 607935629
Photos Chokolashow: CHOKOLASHOW by Marco Caramello // Stefano De Lorenzo
Enjoy even more @ Chokolashow
Edit by @ Maria Bologna
Editor @ Monaco Woman
