Piero Simondo was an Italian artist whose creative journey and contributions to the art world were marked by innovation, collaboration, and a deep engagement with the avant-garde movements of his time. Born on August 25, 1928, in the small town of Cosio di Arroscia in the Liguria region of Italy, Simondo's life was one of artistic exploration and intellectual curiosity that spanned several decades until his passing on November 6, 2020. Simondo's early life and educational background are not extensively documented, but it is known that his artistic career began to take shape following a significant encounter with Pinot Gallizio, a fellow Italian artist and chemist. Gallizio, who was born in Alba, Piemonte, in 1902, had a profound influence on Simondo. Their meeting in Torino led to a friendship and collaboration that would become the starting point of Gallizio's journey into the art world and, by extension, would deeply impact Simondo's artistic trajectory. In 1953, Simondo and Gallizio, along with other artists such as Antonio Siri, Gigi Caldanzano, and Leandro Sciutto, formed the workshop 'The Chemical Plant' in Alba. This workshop was a space for experimentation where Simondo and his colleagues explored the use of natural resins and other materials in their art, blending scientific inquiry with creative expression. This period of experimentation was crucial for Simondo, as it allowed him to develop a unique artistic language that combined his interests in modern art with a penchant for natural substances. Simondo's involvement with the avant-garde continued to deepen when he, along with Gallizio and Danish artist Asger Jorn, founded the Laboratory of immaginiste experiences as part of the International Movement for an Imaginist Bauhaus (IMIB) in Alba, Piedmont. The IMIB was a collective that sought to challenge traditional artistic practices and promote new forms of creative expression. Simondo played a key role in this movement, editing Eristica, the magazine published by IMIB, and organizing the First World-wide Conference of the Free Artists in September 1956, which brought together like-minded artists to discuss and share their ideas. The summer of 1957 marked a pivotal moment in Simondo's career when he, along with Michèle Bernstein, Guy Debord, Gallizio, Jorn, Walter Olmo, Ralph Rumney, and Elena Verrone, founded the Situationist International (SI) in his house in Cosio d'Arroscia. The SI was a radical organization with Marxist and surrealist origins that sought to critique and transform culture and society through art and activism. Initially, the SI used art as a means of social criticism, but it gradually shifted towards a more politically focused agenda. Simondo's involvement with the SI was significant, but following a disagreement with Debord, he left the organization along with Olmo and Verrone. In 1962, Simondo founded the CIRA (International Center for an Institute of Artistic Research) in Turin with the aim of expanding the proposals of the Alba Laboratory. This initiative reflected his ongoing commitment to artistic research and experimentation. From 1968 onwards, Simondo continued his artistic activities independently, producing both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works that furthered his exploration of form, color, and material. Simondo's contributions to the field of art education were also notable. From 1972 to 1996, he worked at the University of Turin, where he organized experimental activities at the Institute of Pedagogy and held the chair of Methodology and Didactics of the Audiovisual Medium. His pedagogical work was informed by his artistic practice, and he authored several publications, including "Ars vetus, ars modernorum" (1971), "What were the experiences of the Alba Laboratory" (1986), "The Laboratory as Situation" (1987), and "The colour of colours" (1990). Throughout his career, Simondo's work was featured in various key galleries and museums, including the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, reflecting his status as an artist of international repute. His legacy continues to be celebrated through retrospectives and exhibitions that showcase his contributions to the art world and his role as one of the founders of the Situationist International. Piero Simondo's life and work were characterized by a relentless pursuit of artistic innovation and a desire to challenge the status quo. His collaborations with other artists, his involvement with avant-garde movements, and his dedication to teaching and research all contributed to a rich and multifaceted career that left an indelible mark on the landscape of modern and contemporary art.

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