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At Lucca Comics & Games 2025

As every year, the Carducci Pavilion will host the live painting session organized by Area Performance ODV, culminating in the traditional Sunday charity auction.

Here is a list of some of the artists who will be taking part:

Ivana Abbate
Andrea Alemanno
Paola Andreatta
Marco Bernardini
Claudio Capellini
Domenico Cava
Alice Chesi
Silvia Corso
Alberto Dal Lago
Giuseppe De Iure
Antonio De Luca
Alekos Diacodimitri
Jesper Ejsing
Marco Fabbri
Diego Fichera
Paola Fiorentino
Renato Florindi
Nicholas Fusari
Diego Gabriele
Giacomo Galligani
Daniele Garbugli
Michele Giorgi
Elisabetta Giulivi
Giusti Lorenzo
Tyler Jacobson
Karl Kopinski
Katerina Ladon
Cristiana Leone
Davide Marescotti
Eduard Marinov
Carlo Monopoli
Andrea Musso
Francesco Natali
Daniele Orizio
Alberto Pagliaro
Beatrice Pelagatti
Andrea Piparo
Davide Pizi
Michele Poli
Simone Pontieri
Fabio Porfidia
Giulio Primo
Daniele Procacci
Mirco Pucci
Chiara Riva
Lapo Roccella
Davide Romanini
Giulia Rubenni
Jacopo Schiavo
Cristiano Soldatich
Anna Chiara Stagi
Gabriele Stazi
Luca Strati
Sunny Dee
Francesca Urbinati
Vanadia
Antonello Venditti
Florinda Zanetti

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EMERGENCY in Entebbe

Every day, at the Pediatric Surgery Center in Entebbe, hundreds of children receive free medical care for conditions that, elsewhere, would go untreated.

Here, medicine is interwoven with hospitality: bright wards, play areas, and guesthouses for those who travel from afar.

The goal is both simple and powerful: to give every child the chance to heal, to grow, and to return to playing.

This year as well, we renew our commitment alongside the Pediatric Surgery Center in Entebbe, a hospital created by EMERGENCY and designed by Renzo Piano to provide free and accessible care to children in need — a project we have proudly supported since 2024.

With Area Performance, art continues to stand beside those who heal.

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The magic of the Area Performance is calling you!

The new newsletter is finally here. Subscribe to enjoy a truly unique experience and make sure you don’t miss any of our initiatives.

The official newsletter of the Area Performance at Lucca Comics & Games is ready to take you to the very heart of live art:

  • You’ll get an exclusive preview of the international masters and emerging talents who will paint live on the Carducci stage.
  • You’ll receive exclusive updates on the artworks created in real time and on our charity auctions.
  • Be the first to discover the surprises awaiting you in the 2025 edition, from original performances to events that will spark your imagination.Subscribe to the newsletter now and become part of our community.
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Bobo e Dintorni

“I wanted my work to remain available to those who wish to know it and study it.”

This is how Sergio Staino described the founding of the Bobo e Dintorni Association (ETS).

In 2019, he gave concrete form to his primary goal: to create a Digital Archive in order to make his artistic production accessible to everyone.

Thanks also to the proceeds from the Area Performance charity auctions during Lucca Comics & Games 2024, this project has taken a significant step forward.

A digital archive that gathers decades of cartoons, illustrations, and reflections on our country, preserving and sharing the cultural memory of an artist who was able to portray his time with a unique perspective.

Because cultural memory lives on when it becomes a shared heritage.

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Every Line Matters: Together for Art, Together for Karl

Area Performance proudly announces the charity auction “Art for Karl”, which will take place on Catawiki from June 6 to 15, 2025, to support the artist Karl Kopinski, affected by serious health problems.

Karl, a friend and supporter of Area Performance for years together with all the artists involved, is facing a difficult period. His conditions require complex treatments and a long rehabilitation process to be able to return to doing what he loves: drawing.

For this reason, great masters of illustration and fantasy on the world scene have joined us by donating original works and exclusive prints.

The proceeds of the auction will be entirely donated to Karl and his family, to allow him to face this complicated journey, a concrete gesture of affection and gratitude.

The participating artists will be:

Simone Bianchi
Alberto Dal Lago
Angelo Montanini
Giuseppe Camuncoli
Gary Frank
Jesper Ejsing
Daniele Orizio
No Curves
LRNZ
Paolo Barbieri
Ciruelo Cabral
Ivan Cavini
Adrian Smith
Livia De Simone
Fabrizio Spadini

…and of course Karl Kopinski, with some of his works donated for the occasion.

The auction will be online on Catawiki starting Friday, June 6. A small gesture from many can become a great help.

Together for art. Together for Karl.

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The Charity Auction on Catawiki Begins

The Area Performance is pleased to announce the return of its annual online auction on Catawiki, running from 12:00 PM on March 14 until 8:00 PM on Sunday, March 23, in conjunction with Lucca Collezionando 2025.

Join the auction on Catawiki: https://bit.ly/3FmD9vW

This is a unique opportunity to acquire original illustrations signed by renowned artists who, over 26 years of collaboration with Lucca Comics & Games, have made Area Performance a key reference point in the international art scene.

By participating, you not only have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind artwork, but you also contribute to a noble cause: all proceeds will be donated to the projects supported by the Association each year.

Find out more: https://areaperformance.com/progetti/

This year, there are also two special projects linked to specific initiatives:

  • “La Toscana delle Donne” Project: proceeds from the dedicated artworks will be donated to the Afghan Women’s National Cycling Team.
  • A project in collaboration with the FantastikA Illustration Biennial in Dozza: proceeds from the dedicated artworks will support the creation of the Dozza con Te Odv Civil Protection and Solidarity Association, helping the town equip itself with tools to face climate emergencies.

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Three Charity Initiatives at Lucca Collezionando 2025

The Area Performance of Lucca Comics & Games renews its commitment to promoting art and solidarity with the traditional charity auction on Catawiki, taking place from March 14 to March 23, 2025, during Lucca Collezionando. This is a unique opportunity for collectors and illustration enthusiasts to acquire original works by renowned artists who have collaborated with Area Performance for 26 years while supporting important charitable causes.

This year, in addition to supporting the ongoing projects of the Area Performance Association, the auction will contribute to two special initiatives that combine art and social commitment:

“La Toscana delle Donne” – Art Supporting Afghan Female Cyclists

“Insieme” by Rita Petruccioli

After traveling through Florence and Viareggio, the “La Toscana delle Donne” exhibition will arrive at Lucca Collezionando, featuring three original works by Alice Milani, Rita Petruccioli, and La Tram. These pieces, created live during the opening event at the Teatro del Maggio Fiorentino, will be auctioned on Catawiki, with proceeds going entirely to the Afghan Women’s National Cycling Team.

These three artworks offer a profound perspective on women’s rights and the struggle for self-determination:

  • “Insieme” by Rita Petruccioli, a tribute to the ongoing journey toward gender equality and the courage of women shaping a more just future.
  • “I weave my own thread” by La Tram, inspired by the myth of the Fates, depicting Iranian women as allegorical figures symbolizing their right to shape their destinies.
  • “Italia Donati, municipal schoolteacher in Porciano” by Alice Milani, honoring Italia Donati, a victim of 19th-century societal prejudice, whose story serves as a reminder of the impact of social judgment on women’s freedoms.

FantastikA – Fantasy Art Supporting Civil Protection

Antonello Venditti

The second special initiative involves FantastikA, the Biennial Fantasy Illustration Exhibition held in Dozza (BO), an event dedicated to promoting fantasy illustration, with a particular focus on works inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien. Founded in 2014, FantastikA has attracted artists and fantasy art enthusiasts to the medieval village of Dozza, becoming an international biennial event in 2017.

Through a collaboration with Area Performance, exclusive artworks created by FantastikA artists will be auctioned to support the creation of the Dozza with You Civil Protection and Solidarity Association (Dozza con Te Odv), which will provide essential resources for the city to face climate emergencies.

Comics for Pediatrics – 20 Years of Comics Supporting Young Patients

Lucca Collezionando 2025 will also celebrate a major milestone: 20 years of collaboration between Area Performance and the Pediatrics Department of San Luca Hospital in Lucca. Initiated in 2004 by Renato Genovese, the “Comics for Pediatrics” project has created a path of “informed awareness” through educational comics distributed free of charge to young hospital patients.

From the first issues of “Gugo and Guga” by Studio Genovese (2004-2007) to the Max series, developed since 2009 first with the International School of Comics and later with TheSign, these comics have helped children better understand and face their medical journeys. During Lucca Collezionando, a special exhibition will celebrate this extraordinary initiative, along with the launch of the new issue of Max, written by Manfredi Toraldo and illustrated by Chiara Pinzauti, and the first collected edition of these educational comics, featuring the first four volumes.

An Auction of Art and Solidarity

The Catawiki auction is a unique opportunity for art and comic book lovers: by acquiring one of these original pieces, participants will not only enrich their collections but also contribute to meaningful causes, supporting cultural and social projects that use art as a tool for change.

Auction open from March 14 to March 23, 2025
Join the auction on Catawiki: https://bit.ly/3FmD9vW

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We’re Ready for a New Edition of Lucca Comics & Games!

This year, Area Performance ODV returns with its iconic live-painting session at the Carducci Pavilion for the 2024 edition of Lucca Comics & Games. Over the festival’s five days, more than 60 artists will participate in the Artist Playground, an event that celebrates creativity and talent, giving the public the unique opportunity to watch some of the biggest names in illustration and comics bring their art to life.

Here are some of the participating artists:

Ivana Abbate, Sergio Algozzino, Yoshitaka Amano, Paola Andreatta, Steve Argyle, Francesca Baerald, Marco Bernardini, Simon Bisley, Lelio Bonaccorso, Ciruelo Cabral, Domenico Cava, Silvia Corso, Giuseppe De Iure, Livia De Simone, Jesper Ejsing, Martina Fackova, Paola Fiorentino, Nicholas Fusari, Giacomo Galligani, Daniele Garbugli, Andrea Gatta, Michele Giorgi, Riccardo Innocenti, Tyler Jacobson, Karl Kopinski, Roman Kuteynikov, Katerina Ladon, Cristiana Leone, Martin Lucchini, Davide Marescotti, Federico Mele, Carlo Monopoli, Andrea Musso, Marta Nael, Daniele Orizio, Erol Otus, Andrea Pesi, Andrea Piparo, Michele Poli, Simone Pontieri, Fabio Porfidia, Daniele Procacci, Arianna Rea, Elisa Rio, Lapo Roccella, Davide Romanini, Jacopo Schiavo, Anna Schilirò, Enrico Simonato, Donald Soffritti, Cristiano Soldatich, Melissa Spandri, Sunny Dee, Mauro Talarico, Toonie, Francesca Urbinati, Vanadia, Antonello Venditti, Martina Volandri, Florinda Zanetti, Eliah Zanoni.

Lords for Fantasy 2025: A New Calendar by Area Performance

Back by popular demand, “Lords for Fantasy” will be available again in 2024, featuring original works from Area Performance artists. The 2025 edition celebrates the association’s 25th anniversary and includes 13 new illustrations created during last year’s Artist Playground. The pages and notes have been curated by the Italian Association of Tolkien Studies (AIST), who have dedicated themselves to studying and promoting the works of the Oxford professor. Proceeds from calendar sales will go to Area Performance ODV, supporting our charity initiatives.

Calendar Events:

  • Official Presentation: Wednesday, October 30, from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in Sala G. Ingellis, with Eterea Edizioni, our publishing partner.
  • Calendar Signing Events: Meet some of the featured artists during the five days of the festival at booth CAR 324 in the Carducci Pavilion:
    • Paolo Barbieri (cover artist): Friday, November 1, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
    • Giacomo Galligani: Thursday, October 31, 3:00–4:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 2, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
    • Antonello Venditti: Wednesday, October 30, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 2, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
    • Ciruelo Cabral: available for signings at his booth within the Carducci Pavilion.
    • Andrea Piparo: at the Magic Alley, Wednesday, October 30, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and Thursday, October 31, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Join us in celebrating these moments of art, culture, and charity. Be part of the magic of Lucca Comics & Games 2024 and support Area Performance’s projects!

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25 Years of Creativity Celebrated in a Documentary

🎨 25 years of incredible artists, 25 years of contagious creativity, 25 years of Area Performance ❤️

We are thrilled to share an extraordinary milestone with all of you: our 25th anniversary! Since 1998, Area Performance has brought together some of the world’s most talented artists to create unforgettable moments through live art. Every year at Lucca Comics & Games, hundreds of artists have contributed their works to support charitable projects and spread the love of art in all its forms.

To celebrate this incredible journey, we have created a special documentary:
“1998-2023 Area Performance Silver Anniversary – The Story”.
The video tells our story, the evolution of Area Performance, and the most iconic moments that have shaped our growth year after year. Through exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the documentary offers an exciting glimpse into how we’ve come this far.

The documentary was presented on September 21, 2023, during the FantastikA – Biennale d’Illustrazione in Dozza, an event dedicated to fantasy illustration that annually hosts artists and creatives from all over the world. During the screening, we had the chance to relive these 25 years of achievements together and share the importance of this artistic community that has always supported charitable and cultural initiatives.

Watch the full documentary here:

A special thanks goes to all the artists, collaborators, partners, and supporters who have made this incredible journey possible. It’s thanks to you that we’ve reached this point. We hope this documentary can convey even a fraction of the passion, dedication, and creativity that has been at the heart of Area Performance since day one.

Let’s continue this journey together, always with art at our core!

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The online event that unites Art and Charity is back

It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of the Area Performance auction, an online event that embodies the meeting between art and generosity, and which will take place on Catawiki from 15 to 24 March, in conjunction with Collezionando.

Auction Link: https://www.catawiki.com/it/a/926651

The auction presents a selection of original illustrations created in 2023 as part of the celebration of 25 years of Area Performance and the international Lucca Comics & Games festival. Each work represents a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to win a piece of history, signed by very talented authors.

By participating in the auction, you contribute directly to the charity projects that the Area Performance Association has been carrying out for 25 years.
Since every participation counts, we invite all lovers of art and social support to take part in this extraordinary initiative. Not only will you have the opportunity to enrich your collection with unique and precious works, but you will also make a tangible contribution to the creation of beneficial projects that make a difference.

Performance Area Projects

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to combine a passion for art with the desire to do good. Mark the dates in your calendar and prepare for an unforgettable auction experience!