Richard Orlinski’s monumental sculpture lands at the University of Milan before expanding Fidenza Village’s open-air art route.
In April 2026, Fidenza Village brings Wild Kong to the University of Milan as part of the Fuorisalone program. The work joins INTERNI MATERIAE, the exhibition-event open to the public from April 20 to 30 during Milan Design Week 2026.
Standing three meters tall and crafted in red resin, the sculpture by French artist Richard Orlinski is set to become one of the edition’s most striking visual landmarks. The project was developed with Deodato Arte Gallery and curated with the support of Luca Bravo.
Fidenza Village and Wild Kong at design’s center
For the fourth consecutive year alongside INTERNI, Fidenza Village strengthens its role as a meeting point for fashion, art, design, and creativity. As a result, the luxury shopping destination pushes beyond retail and builds immersive cultural experiences.
Beyond its theatrical presence, Wild Kong speaks directly to the 2026 theme, focused on the technical and experimental value of materials and on new design frontiers. At the same time, the sculpture invites viewers to reflect on human nature and the symbolic force of art in public space.
Born Wild gives Wild Kong its meaning
The gorilla is one of Richard Orlinski’s most emblematic motifs. Three versions define that body of work: Thinker Kong, Wild Kong, and Wild Kong Oil, all tied to the concept of Born Wild, a reflection on the tension between instinct and awareness, strength and vulnerability.
While Thinker Kong channels the animal’s physical power into contemplation, echoing Rodin’s The Thinker, Wild Kong Oil adds an environmental message through the gesture of throwing an oil barrel. In Wild Kong, however, that narrative reaches its most intense form. The open mouth and exposed teeth suggest raw force, yet they also reveal an unexpectedly emotional layer.
That tension turns the sculpture into an allegory of the human condition. Rather than pointing to chaos, the idea of “wild” here suggests a positive energy capable of shaping its own elegance and visual language.
Wild Kong moves to Fidenza Village in May
After Design Week, Wild Kong will be transferred to Fidenza Village. There, it will join a curated site-specific art route that now includes 29 works, further defining the destination as an open-air museum.
From May onward, the sculpture will deepen the visitor experience and reinforce the venue’s vision of pairing discovery, creativity, and inspiration. In this setting, art moves beyond the gallery and becomes part of everyday life.
“Italy has always been a great source of inspiration for me,” says Richard Orlinski. “At Fidenza Village, my sculptures come to life in an open space, where they engage with Italian culture and design, becoming part of the landscape and inviting the public to experience art in a spontaneous and emotional way.”
Event Info
- Event: INTERNI MATERIAE exhibition-event
- Work: Wild Kong by Richard Orlinski
- Program: Fuorisalone, Milan Design Week 2026
- Venue: University of Milan
- Dates: April 20 to 30, 2026
- Associated destination: Fidenza Village
- Installation at Fidenza Village: from May 2026
