Each bottle of olive oil has its own unique character. Of course, the Bono family has known this for generations, but we have never focused on how this character could humanize itself…until now.
Thanks to acclaimed artist, Alice Valenti, our award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oils have now come to life, through a redesigned label with a purpose of connecting deeper with Bono’s Sicilian roots.
A native of Sicily, Valenti’s history and her artistic vision have connected our olive oil-making traditions with the island’s rich literary history. This is how our new labels, dubbed “A Masterpiece of Sicily”, were born, inspired by the chivalric paladins of the Carolingian dynasty and performed in the Opera dei Pupi (marionettes).
Having been designated a UNESCO masterpiece of the oral heritage of humanity in 2001, the Opera dei Pupi was for years a form of entertainment and education of the Sicilian people. Through the marionette theater, in fact, many messages and teachings were conveyed such as honesty, love, fidelity, courage, and rebellion in the face of injustice.
So who is this artist who has helped us transform our brand’s look?
Born in Catania, Alice Valenti graduated with a degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Pisa. Afterwards, she decided to return to Sicily where she joined the workshop of Domenico di Mauro, one of the last masters of the ancient art of Sicilian cart painting where she learned the technique and then adapted it with her own contemporary look. Today, Valenti is one of the most active and followed artists, capable of making Sicilian folklore coexist with modern design.
What makes Valenti stand out above all is her vision, which involves social activism and the desire to give back to her land. “Looking back is often an opportunity to question the future, and decipher who we were and who we want to be,” she says.
Valenti’s past collaborations also include projects with Dolce & Gabbana for which she hand-decorated art refrigerators together with Smeg, the appliance company.
Why did we choose the paladins of the Opera dei Pupi as our new label?
Alice Valenti says it best…
“Listening to Salvatore Bono describe the characteristics of the oils produced from the most fertile lands of Sicily, the members of a real family emerged in my mind, each with its own unique character and expression.”
Here are our six paladins for six oils:
- The wise and courteous Queen Galerana for the balanced Val di Mazara D.O.P. oil, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced with the Biancolilla (50%), Cerasuola (40%) and Nocellara del Belice (10%) olives
- The strong and astute Marsilio, King of Zaragoza, for the moderate Valle del Belice D.O.P. oil, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced with Nocellara del Belice
- The beautiful and valiant warrior Bradamante for the lovely I.G.P. Sicily, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced with the Biancolilla (45%), Cerasuola (40%) and Nocellara del Belice (15%) olives
- The noble and generous Emperor Charlemagne for the harmonious Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil filtered and unfiltered, produced with the Biancolilla, Cerasuola, Ogliarola, Carolea and Coratina olives
- The pure and daring warrior, Ideo, for the fresh and unfiltered Novello Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced with the Biancolilla and Cerasuola olives
- The courageous and sincere warrior Orlando for the vigorous Extra Virgin Olive Oil Selezione Bono, Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced with the Biancolilla, Cerasuola, Ogliarola, Carolea and Coratina olives.