ambassadors
During the two Italian rounds of the 'SBK Motul' World Superbike Championship in Imola and Misano, artist Mirko Baldini, alias Koro Design, created four original Nolan X-802RR helmets. With his airbrush, he drew inspiration from the track and paddock atmosphere as well as from the activities of the Motul Corazón Foundation that promotes the insertion of disadvantaged youths.
Motul and Art have often met: with the Motul Onirika 2853, for instance, the firm wrote a major chapter of its history by combining its creative spirit and its social activities. This unique motorcycle with its futuristic design was auctioned for the benefit of the foundation. Mirko Baldini's helmets provide Motul with the opportunity for a new alliance between a work of art and a charitable cause.
Motul: How did your passion for airbrushing begin and after how long did it become your job?
Koro Design: I got this passion from graffiti. I was looking for a technique to attain an ideal of realism. Airbrushing was the response to my needs and for over 25 years my passion and job have intermingled. In each new project I try to refine and progress my technique.
M: Conceiving the design of a helmet is also a way of transmitting a message. Where do you find inspiration for your work and for what you wish to communicate?
KD: Inspiration can come from everything that surrounds me, from things that stimulate my imagination: an object, a song, a place, a state of mind... There are no fixed rules in this area.
M: What steps lead to the creation of the design of a helmet? How much time is needed to get the finished product to the client?
KD: Work begins with the client himself. I endeavour to transpose as harmoniously as possible the client's style of objects, ideas and emotions. The execution time of course
depends on the type of work but, on average, takes six to eight hours.
M: Events like those at Imola and Misano generate an enormous amount of energy and emotions. You have worked in the very paddock of the World SBK to airbrush the four helmets. Did the public help you in your inspiration?
KD: Having such a public inspired me a lot creatively and also motivated me to create something new.
M: Your works focuses mainly on two-wheelers and custom motor bikes in particular, but you are open-minded to exploring new universes. In your career as an artist what has your most gratifying experience been?
KD: I became an artist working in the world of motorcycles and helmets but for years I also worked in fashion and art to complete my professional track record. In any case the latter is always evolving and I'm always discovering new horizons and new challenges. That was the case with the collection of the designer Cappellini or the fashion creations made for other artists...
