# Italian Pollution Paintings Alessandro Ricci's Smog Paintings Aim to Curb Florence's Air Pollution By Michael Hines | Published 2012-02-01 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alessandro-ricci References: [odditycentral](http://www.odditycentral.com/news/florentine-artist-fights-pollution-by-painting-with-smog.html) Alessandro Ricci is an Italian artist who has dedicated himself to raising awareness to the city of Florence's smog problem. Ricci has done this by gathering smog off the [city's buildings and statues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith) and using them to paint with. Ricci gathers his smog using damp cotton balls and then uses the grimy residue to [paint scenes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7-paintings-the-art-of-dining) of his home city. The paintings are sealed with resin and are then donated as the artist doesn't believe in profiting off his work. What puts Ricci's [smog paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowflake-exhibition) over the top is the fact that he is a self-taught artist with no formal training save for a few art classes. Alessandro Ricci's crusade has paid minor dividends as Florence agreed in 2009 to turn the Duomo area of the city into a pedestrian-only section. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Smog Art:** Artists can create works using pollutants as a medium to raise awareness of environmental issues in their communities. - **Self-taught Artistry:** Aspiring artists can take non-traditional routes to hone their craft and create unique works with limited resources. - **Sustainable Art:** Artists can utilize eco-friendly materials and methods in their creations to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Environmental Conservation:** Organizations can leverage art as a medium to raise awareness and promote action towards environmental issues in communities. - **Art Education:** Art schools and programs can incorporate self-taught artistry into their curriculums to encourage creativity and resourcefulness in their students. - **Green Art Supplies:** Suppliers can develop and market eco-friendly art supplies to cater to the growing demand for sustainable and socially responsible materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sleek Pollution-Reducing Paints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecos-1.md) - [Painterly Air Purifiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airmega-250-art-x-hailyhills.md) - [Leftover Househouse Paint Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paint-drop.md) - [Oil Painting-Inspired Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antonio-santn.md) - [Minimalist Tile-Style Air Purifiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/missaglia-tiles.md) - [Air-Purifying Tree Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treeone.md) - [Unseen Artist Masterpieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michelangelos-untold-works.md) - [Digital Graffiti NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graffiti-wall-collection.md) - [Refurbished Rural Tuscan Farmhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ricupaglia.md)