In May 2025, the artist Daniele Basso signed the cover #4 of The Bielleser, the visual storytelling project promoted by the Ethnic Association of Biella. The work, entitled “TÜCC BLEU / TUTTI BLU”, is more than just a cover: it is a powerful artistic and social statement, a tribute to the 96th National Alpine Gathering hosted in Biella, and a visual manifesto of Alpine values reinterpreted in a contemporary key.
The Bielleser is an imaginary editorial project, told through covers published on the Instagram profile, which celebrates the Biella area with the critical and creative gaze of art. For his fourth outing, Enzo Mario Napolitano has involved Daniele Basso in the creation of a work that links the Alpine tradition to the cultural and productive context of the Biella area, with the graphic support of Alessia Malpangotti.
The heart of the project is the famous alpine hat, reinterpreted by Basso with a radical gesture: coloring it indigo blue. “Blue like the color of peace, of pure water, of the sky, of the mantle of the Madonna of Oropa… Blue as a symbol of spirituality, balance and rebirth,” explains the artist. A highly symbolic chromatic choice, which replaces the traditional military green-gray with deep blue, a sign of an evolution of the Alpine spirit towards shared, civil and universal values.
The work was created in collaboration with the Cappellificio Cervo, a historic Biellese manufacturer that gave rise to the Alpine hat itself. In this new version, the hat becomes an emblem of unity between the world of the Alpini and civil society, respecting the environment, the mountains and the cultural roots of “Made in Biella”. The motto “TÜCC’ÜN“, which in Biella dialect means “all one”, is reinterpreted here as “TÜCC BLEU” – all blue, united no longer just by a uniform, but by values of peace and civil commitment.
The work has been transformed into a limited edition art multiple: 100 numbered copies signed by Daniele Basso, on sale at Progetto Store in Via Italia 54 in Biella. A collector’s item that tells a universal message through a deeply local symbol.
The final dedication is addressed to Giuliano Fighera, official photographer of the ANA Section of Biella, who passed away in 2023, who will not be able to see the Gathering at his home. A gesture that reinforces the personal and collective nature of the work.
“TÜCC BLEU” is not only an artistic tribute, but a reflection on the social role of art, memory and identity. A virtuous example of cultural design, where aesthetics and content come together to tell the story of a community and stimulate a sense of belonging.
INFO/PHOTO COURTESY: Daniele Basso
