Pop art has made a big impact on the work of artists in the last thirty years. It has created a way of making art that has gone beyond the canvas to become an all-round mass medium. In a world dominated by consumption, and in full keeping with the philosophy of Nouveau Réalisme, Paola Boni presents a work that embraces the same inspirations as those favoured by Andy Warhol, in other words, it represents mass-produced products as ‘social democracy’. The background has been chosen not only to give depth to the subject, but to draw emphasis to the red wrapper of the famous snack depicted. Making reference to the well-known refrain of the English-language advert (Have a break, Have a Kit-Kat), which actually features on the packaging itself, Paola Boni depicts a moment of stillness in the chaos of modern society. The two packs seem to be lying one on top of the other as in a real position of rest, as if they are actually taking a break. It is a moment of escape from the madding crowd, a sign of surrender. One thing becomes clear as you look at the perfection with which the artist has attempted to reproduce such a subject, and that is that art penetrates reality in a symbiotic exchange with everyday life and creative talent. Paola Boni’s great technique and unique style have made her a successful brand.
Paolo Levi