Alfa Romeo Centenary: inauguration of the “Disco Volante” (Flying Saucer) sculpture at Fiera Milano

A prestigious bronze monument donated by RIAR (the Italian Alfa Romeo Register) and many enthusiasts from all over the world will be inaugurated in front of the south gate of Fiera Milano Expo on 26th June. The ceremony is part of the Alfa Romeo Centenary celebrations set to take place from 24th to 27th June, involving Milan City Council, Fiera Milano Expo, the Monza Race Track and the Alfa Romeo History Museum in Arese.

Inspired by the famous Alfa Romeo 1900 “Disco Volante” (Flying Saucer) of 1952, the bronze statue was designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo with the collaboration of artist Agostino Bonalumi and placed on a base, devised by architects Monica Mariani and Claudio Lo Passo, featuring a plaque recalling the most significant historical landmarks of Alfa Romeo and RIAR. Founded in 1962, the Italian Alfa Romeo Register - International Club is a non-profit association which the Brand has acknowledged and officially supported for the last 50 years or so. Every year, the RIAR organises major events throughout Italy and abroad, with the most significant cars of its members, making for a genuine travelling museum which provides a live narration of the fascinating story of Alfa Romeo.

The base of the “Disco Volante” sculpture guards a sealed box containing a parchment with the names of everyone who contributed to the completion of this work. Every supporter will also be receiving a 1:43 scale model of the monument itself made in a limited and numbered edition. Moreover, another 100 1:10 scale models will be made, also in bronze, numbered and signed by the authors, and they will be available for purchase together with the book entitled: “Un Monumento per uno Stile” (A Monument for a Style) which tells the story of the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and the different steps involved in the making of the monument.

On the initiative of the RIAR, the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo was given the task of designing a sculpture to be placed in Milan to celebrate the Centenary of the car manufacturer. The idea was to design a shape that would express the symbolic values of Alfa Romeo. A line which would represent a link with 100 years of history, yet which nonetheless looked to the future. The inspiration came by observing the scale model, kept at the Centro Stile, of the 1900 C52 Spider “Disco Volante”, of which a perfectly functional model is kept at the historic Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, where it is often used for events and travelling fairs worldwide.

The special appeal of this car lies in the simplicity of its line; two shells joined together with drop-shaped wings which partly conceal the wheels, a tribute to the aerodynamics which make it look like a "flying saucer". Hence the name “Disco Volante” (Italian for Flying Saucer). The Centro Stile Alfa Romeo interpreted the essential appeal of the line with great formal simplicity, removing all extras. This led to a sleek and dynamic line, with fluid and well-connected surfaces. The only concession is the “Trefoil” i.e. the central shield with the side air intakes, which represent the Brand's strong, distinctive identity.

In collaboration with the Centro Stile, the artistic contribution of Master Agostino Bonalumi who created two tall stems which, with their vertical tension, balance the harmonious form of the Alfa. The construction of this work was also possible thanks to Il Cigno GG Edizioni Roma, which specialises in the creation of monuments by famous artists throughout the world, and which followed the project every step of the way, providing its own contribution, including suggestions and advice, with professionalism and great organisational expertise.

Turin, 24th June 2010