Born Wild
Fidenza Village is an open-air museum, home to a permanent collection of 29 artworks including sculptures and murals by Italian and international artists. A constantly evolving narrative designed to be explored and experienced.
Each artwork engages in dialogue with the Village architecture and its visitors, supported by captions and audio guides available in four languages, making art accessible to a global audience.
Within this framework, Wild Kong by French artist Richard Orlinski was unveiled during Milano Design Week 2026, as part of INTERNI MATERIAE at the University of Milan.
Standing three metres tall, the resin sculpture radiates raw energy. Wild Kong embodies the Born Wild concept, exploring the tension between instinct and awareness, strength and emotion.
After Design Week, Wild Kong arrives at the Village
The artwork will becomes part of Fidenza Village’s open-air art trail, marking the 30th piece in the collection.
A new chapter in a cultural project that weaves together art, fashion, design and creativity, transforming the space into a place of continuous discovery.
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An icon on a global journey
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14 things you (probably) didn’t know about Richard Orlinski
Before becoming one of the most recognizable contemporary artist in the world, Richard Orlinski worked in a completely different field: real estate, where he achieved significant financial success. On the surface, he seemed to have everything one could wish for. Yet he wasn’t truly happy. Burned out and exhausted by that lifestyle, he felt a deep need to find new meaning in his life. That turning point led him to leave everything behind and dedicate himself fully to his true passion: art.
He had no idea how far it would take him or that it would become such a defining part of his life. Nothing was strategically planned. It was a combination of circumstances, along with strong determination and perseverance, that ultimately shaped his journey and led to his success.
He is an artist constantly seeking new challenges, always eager to explore new territories and push his own creative boundaries. He finds inspiration everywhere and in everything, from ordinary objects to popular culture, flora, fauna and beyond. He works with a variety of media to bring his art to as many people as possible.
As making art visible and accessible to all is a key part of Richard Orlinski’s artistic approach, he is committed to installing his art around the world in places that are free for the public to enter, often in open-air locations. These monumental installations form the cornerstone of his vision. They bring his work to people who would not otherwise see it, extricating art from the often elitist confines of museums and galleries. These life-size exhibitions become cultural routes that align with Richard Orlinski’s artistic philosophy and are open to the world.
With more than nine million followers on Instagram, Richard Orlinski has built a loyal international community of art and pop culture lovers over the years, demonstrating growing interest in his works and artistic concept. He uses his social media to share his inspiration, creations, ongoing projects and news, as well as moments from his life, offering an immersive experience of his creative process and his vision of contemporary art. Social media has transformed the perception of art by making it more immediate, global, and accessible. It allows artists to connect directly with a wide audience, beyond traditional galleries and institutions. For Richard Orlinski, this digital shift has further supported his vision of making art accessible to everyone, breaking down barriers and bringing contemporary art into everyday life.
For Richard, every form of expression is art. In his view, music is a true art form in its own right, just as powerful and meaningful as sculpture, painting, or any other creative discipline. Richard is a music lover who began writing his first pieces in 2015. As a composer and DJ who is constantly looking for new challenges and ways to connect with his audience, he designed a spectacular immersive show that blends music and visual art on a massive scale.
Richard Orlinski might say. “To me, it reflects the duality of human nature today: our capacity for power, ambition, and resilience, but also for vulnerability, compassion, and connection. In a world that can sometimes feel harsh, Wild Kong reminds us that true strength includes the ability to be gentle, to care, and to embrace our emotions. It’s a mirror of who we are complex, passionate, and capable of both force and kindness.”
He believes that making art accessible is more than a choice, it is a responsibility for contemporary artists. His work, which blends art, pop culture, and luxury in a direct and recognizable way, aims to break down barriers and reach beyond traditional galleries. He sees it as essential for art to inspire curiosity, emotion, and enjoyment in everyone, not just a select few.
Richard Orlinski is passionate about all forms of creation and has always sought to inject beauty into the useful. In his quest to elevate everyday life, the artist has been invited to collaborate with prestigious international partners who share his values of innovation and know-how. He is particularly skilled at translating his sculptural concept to the powerful signatures and iconic objects of the houses he works with, and has developed numerous daring projects as a result. In his collaborations with partners including Hublot, Puma and even Lancôme, Richard Orlinski has not only expanded his expressive scope, but has also greatly contributed to the accessibility of contemporary art by raising its profile in unexpected places. He carefully chooses collaborations that align with his artistic vision and values. For him, a partnership becomes part of his artistic language only if it complements his work, enhances his creative expression, and respects the integrity of his style. He sees collaboration as a long-term “marriage” rather than a one-off project, something that grows and evolves over time, contributing authentically and sustainably to the stories he tells through his sculptures.
For Richard Orlinski, Born Wild is a reminder to reconnect with instinct. In today’s increasingly digital world, staying “wild” means preserving spontaneity, freedom, and authenticity. He sees it as listening to one’s inner voice, taking risks, embracing emotions, and resisting the urge to let life become overly controlled or predictable. To him, being “wild” today is about remaining true to oneself and living with passion amid the noise of modern life.
He notices that audiences respond differently to his animal figures across the world. In each city, people bring their own emotions, interpretations, and cultural references. While the energy, strength, and vitality of his sculptures remain universal, the way they are perceived shifts, reflecting local traditions and perspectives. For example, children often react with wonder and playfulness, while adults may interpret the same piece with reflection or admiration. This variety of reactions deepens his appreciation of art’s global resonance.
For Richard Orlinski, the excitement of placing a sculpture in a space like Fidenza Village comes from surprising the audience. He enjoys the idea of encountering art outside traditional galleries, in a commercial, cultural, and experiential environment, where people might not expect it. This unexpected presence sparks curiosity, invites interaction, and creates a new dialogue between the sculpture and its viewers, making the experience memorable and accessible to all.
Richard Orlinski hopes that after seeing Wild Kong at Fidenza Village, visitors will leave with a sense of reflection about their own nature. He wants them to ask themselves how they balance strength and tenderness, instinct and control, in their own lives. The sculpture is meant to inspire a personal connection, encouraging each viewer to consider the wild, authentic, and emotional sides of themselves.
He sees presenting his sculpture at Fidenza Village as a way to create continuity with The Bicester Collection, giving more meaning to the storytelling of his art. By placing his sculptures in open-air, everyday spaces, he evolves his artistic language while engaging the Italian audience in a fresh and unexpected way. This approach allows visitors to experience a new chapter of his work while maintaining a coherent narrative that connects his sculptures across different locations.