MC HOPPER

Oldani's work reimagines Edward Hopper's Nighthawks with a surreal and contemporary twist, transforming the classic diner into a McDonald's, a symbol of globalized modernity. The setting retains the original's nocturnal, melancholic atmosphere, but is transformed by the inclusion of pop and iconic elements that create a contrast between Hopper's realism and a fantastical imagery. The McDonald's, with its large, luminous windows, is the fulcrum of the composition. Artificial light warms the interior, a stark contrast to the darkness of the deserted street. However, instead of ordinary customers, Oldani introduces alienating, out-of-place characters, accentuating the sense of alienation and mystery. Outside, sitting on a bench, is Ronald McDonald, the fast food mascot, who takes on a disturbing air. He doesn't have his usual playful smile, but an enigmatic gaze directed at the viewer, almost as if wanting to draw them into the scene or question its reality. His presence transforms the symbol of consumer culture into an ambiguous icon, oscillating between the familiar and the uncanny. Inside the restaurant, a figure stands out from behind among the customers: Batman. The superhero, wrapped in his dark cape, seems absorbed in his drink. His presence is anomalous and ironic, given that the Dark Knight is a symbol of justice and inner torment, whereas here he appears in an everyday, consumerist setting. In front of the McDonald's, in the opposite window, appears Wacciu, an imaginary character created by Oldani. His role in the narrative is mysterious, but his presence amplifies the dreamlike and surreal dimension of the scene, almost as if he were an external observer, an element outside of time and space. On the left of the canvas, a McDonald's billboard indicates the location of the fast food restaurant. This detail adds a further layer of reflection on the pervasiveness of pop culture and consumerism, echoing the loneliness of Hopper's characters, but in a context dominated by multinationals and aggressive visual communication. Oldani's work plays on the contrast between Hopper's realism and an imagery that blends pop culture with surreal elements. McDonald's becomes the new place of solitude and isolation, while iconic figures like Ronald McDonald and Batman seem out of place, generating a sense of alienation. The artist reflects on contemporary times, where mass culture invades every space and the line between reality and fiction becomes increasingly blurred.