Chokolashow, with its inaugural edition on May 9, is a long-time vision of Maria Bologna, the Editor-in-Chief of QE-Magazine, who believes “chocolate is also art”
The competition is a first for Monaco as eight art students face off against each other to see who can best sculpt a 12-kg block of chocolate into a historic racing car model. And the pièce de résistance? Each sculpture is a replica of a real car racing this weekend at the 2024 Monaco Historic Grand Prix, which takes place May 10 to 12.
WATCH VIDEO English: Maria Bologna, founder of Chokolashow.
WATCH VIDEO English: Pavillon Bosio art student Valentine Trassy is competing in Chokolashow.
On May 2, the eight students, from Monaco’s Pavillon Bosio (Ecole d’Arts Plastiques) and the Fine Arts Academy in San Remo, gathered at Rossi Bottega del Gelato, where they were each given their tableau, a massive hunk of chocolate. Each artist has had a week to create their masterpiece based on the model of car she or he chose by lottery. An additional entry will be from Monegasque artist Caroline Bergonzi but outside of competition.
Chokolashow is open to the public Thursday, May 9, from 10 am to 6 pm at the Riva Tunnel (8 quai Antoine Ier, next to Conscientiae). The artists will present their sculptures and there will be free chocolate and ice cream tastings (spoiler alert: if you like chocolate, caramel and rum, make sure to see Monaco’s ice cream man Claudio Rossi).
WATCH VIDEO French: Simona Sarboraria, treasurer of the Monaco International Hub explains the concept of Chokolashow.
WATCH VIDEO French: Ice cream maker Sonia Rossi describes the chocolate.
Organised by the Monaco International Hub association, a private cocktail will be held from 6:30 pm and guests will be able to vote for their favourite sculpture. At 8pm, the eight chocolate cars will be sold at auction with the money raised going to eight non-profit associations: Les Enfants de Frankie, Action Innocence, Passion Sea, Fight Aids Monaco, MAP, (Monaco Aide & Presence), AMAPEI (Support and Protection for Maladjusted Children), Association de Bienfaisance Eugenio Benedetti Gaglio and the Monaco SPA (Animal Protection Society).
The artist with the most votes will be presented with The Chokolashow trophy – a chocolate sculpture by Belinda Bussotti.
WATCH VIDEO Italian: Chokolashow.
Article first published May 8, 2024. Feature photo courtesy of Helena Litvak. All videos except Chokolashow copyright Good News Monaco.