Art as a message of peace. And peace intertwined with fantasy. These are the two concepts developed on the four sides of a villa in Salcedo, which, by the owner's will, has become a blank canvas to express oneself. A unique feature in our territory. "A silent poetry," to use the words of Leonardo Da Vinci in his definition of painting. An idea, a decorative project. A villa. Three artists. "We were contacted by the paint shop where we usually get our supplies," explains Emjl Berdin, 40 years old, originally from Dueville, who, along with Christian and Michele De Antoni, respectively 42 and 48 years old and originally from Breganze, signed the works of art, "referring to us that there was a potential client with a particular idea to develop."
That cuatomer is Alberto Mele, a pharmacist from the village, owner of a late nineteenth-century villa located in Salcedo on the road leading to Lusiana. A lover of art and its value, the enthusiast had the idea of decorating each facade of the house with famous paintings. "His philosophy," continues Berdin, "is to bring art out of museums to enhance it. The subjects were chosen by him." A faithful reproduction of the work, therefore, but with a reinterpretation of the colors.
"There is a strong reference to blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag." Here the reference to hope. "I wanted to convey a message of peace," reveals Mele, "a concept that was communicated externally through the paintings on the three sides and the pediment."
And so the north facade houses Magritte's "The Man with the Bowler Hat," the south "Pessimism and Optimism" by Giacomo Balla, and the west "The Dance" by Matisse: three murals of about 80 square meters each. On the entrance cornice, to the east, the symbol of infinity "The Third Paradise" by Michelangelo Pistoletto is reproduced. "
After preparing the wall, the artistic part began with computer renders studying the proportions. The drawing is done in squares," adds Christian De Antoni, "and the gridding is done on the wall. Each square corresponds to a detail, then drawn by hand, larger, on the wall. Then the coloring begins." Four works, 4 artistic movements: from surrealism to futurism, from the avant-garde of the Fauves to the current of Arte Povera. "Balla has a more geometric technique and well-defined contours. Magritte has a more figurative art that needs shades." After eight months of work, this open-air museum - there is another reproduction of Balla inside - opened its doors a few weeks ago. "It was a challenge," reveals Berdin. "An exciting journey: if you surround yourself with genuine, humble, and sincere people, something magical can happen."
(GdV, lunedì 5 febbraio)