Three “Osvaldo” Sculptures by Artist Paolo Pastorino Stolen in Albisola

One disappeared in January, while another was later damaged. Now, thieves and vandals have dealt another blow to public art in Albisola, striking during a weekend night.

All three remaining “Osvaldo” sculptures, ceramic creations by artist Paolo Pastorino, have disappeared from the gardens of Piazza Dante.

The installation of these charming, colorful, rabbit-shaped sculptures, standing approximately 70 centimeters tall, had initially been warmly welcomed by the local community. They represented an original and playful way to greet tourists while celebrating Albisola’s long-standing ceramic tradition with a touch of creativity and humor.

Just a few nights earlier, one of the Osvaldo sculptures had been removed from its base and moved several meters away. After being notified the following morning, Pastorino personally returned it to its pedestal.

The following night, however, all three sculptures were stolen.

The theft was discovered early the next morning by local residents crossing the square on their way to shop or buy the newspaper. Disappointment and frustration quickly spread once it became clear that the artworks had not been temporarily removed for maintenance or other scheduled work.

Suspicion initially fell on groups of young people who, after leaving nearby nightlife venues, pass through Albisola on their way to the railway station to catch trains toward Genoa.

However, investigators could not rule out the possibility that the thefts were committed by local residents opposed to the display of unconventional contemporary artworks in public spaces.

The fact that these incidents of theft and vandalism repeatedly occurred at night and during weekends appeared to support the first theory.

The first Osvaldo sculpture, stolen in January, had been traced to Viale Faraggiana thanks to a tracking device that the artist had installed inside it. At the time, the incident was believed to have been a prank carried out by local teenagers.

“This is the fourth time that an artwork displayed in a public space has been stolen or damaged,” Pastorino commented at the time.

“I understand that people may or may not like a particular character or sculpture, but these acts of vandalism are truly a sign of disrespect and a lack of civic responsibility. This is not simply a piece of art that belongs to me. Something has been taken away from the Municipality of Albisola and its citizens.”

Now, however, the situation has become even more disheartening: the entire little Osvaldo family has disappeared.

By Giovanni Vaccaro