Yuri Catania’s Atelier
at CasaGalleria.ARt -
Rovio, switzerland
Location & Concept: At the foot of Monte Generoso, in the historic village core of Rovio (Val Mara, Ticino), CasaGalleria.ART is more than a destination, it’s a lived practice of contemporary art. Located in the Southern Switzerland, this is where the private home opens up to share the creative process, facilitating a direct encounter with the artist and an ongoing conversation between art and nature.
The Setting: A place that flows into the work Rovio is an ancient hillside village characterized by narrow lanes, stone paths, and historic façades, an architectural rhythm that invites slowness.
Surrounding it, the landscape of Val Mara becomes daily material for Yuri Catania's work: woods, trails, and constantly changing light. It is within this setting that the artist anchored his creative laboratory and atelier.
Monte Generoso stands as a protective presence. From its summit, the panorama is expansive, offering a view that connects the Swiss Alps to the Italian lakes. This enviroment reminds us daily that light carries meaning, atmosphere, and narrative.
The Garden: Botany, Time, and Inspiration CasaGalleria.ART occupies a restored 1700s house with a garden overlooking Lake Lugano. It is envisioned as an art residence with doors open to the public and collectors for an unfiltered experience. The garden is a living archive. It fuels the floral imagery that runs through Yuri’s universe, flowers as energy, fragility, and resilience. Here, nature becomes a visual grammar carried into painting, collage, photography, and site-specific installation.
Community & Public Art: The Cats of Rovio Rovio is also a community with an artistic memory. The village hosts projects intertwining identity and territory, such as "The Cats of Rovio". This major open-air paste-up exhibition turned the village streets into a distributed gallery. These works have become a local symbol of independence and curiosity, merging street art with rural tradition.
Production: A True Creative Lab (The "Machine Room") Yuri Catania’s atelier functions as a complete production ecosystem. Unlike traditional studios, this is a fully equipped workshop where craft meets technology:
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Concept & Creation: Where ideas originate, often during the night hours to avoid interference.
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Analog & Digital: Negatives are developed in the in-house darkroom, bridging vintage techniques with modern vision.
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Materiality: Wood is shaped, and objects are built by hand.
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Fine Art Printing: Museum-quality cotton paper prints are produced internally to ensure total control over the output.
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Finishing: Photographs are mounted on aluminum plates and framed with handmade wooden strips.
Philosophy: No borders between inside and outside The philosophy is clear: CasaGalleria.ART is not just a showroom to display art, but an immersive environment. It mixes art, nature, encounters, and the surrounding territory: waterfalls, trails, the colors and seasonal sounds. Studio visits are available for collectors, curators, and groups who want to step into the context that generates the artwork, moving beyond a simple gallery viewing.
Silvia Torricelli: Dialogue, Direction, and Management CasaGalleria.ART is a dual project. Silvia Torricelli, partner in life and work for over twenty years, brings the managerial and curatorial vision. While Yuri focuses on creation, Silvia ensures the operational continuity and care for the experience. Her role is crucial for partners and clients, balancing the artist's instinct with the strategy and organization required for high-level art projects.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the Atelier
Q: Where is Yuri Catania’s atelier located and how can I visit?
A: The atelier is located inside CasaGalleria.ART in the historic center of Rovio (Ticino, Switzerland), just a few kilometers from Lugano and the Italian border. Since it is a private residence and a working creative laboratory, visits are by appointment only. This ensures a dedicated and immersive experience for collectors and art enthusiasts.
Q: Are the artworks produced directly at the atelier?
A: Yes. CasaGalleria.ART is a fully operational production ecosystem. Yuri Catania oversees the entire creative cycle on-site: from the initial concept to the Fine Art printing (using museum-quality cotton paper) and the crafting of handmade frames. This guarantees that every piece leaving the studio meets the artist's highest standards of quality and authenticity.
Q: Do you handle international shipping for artwork purchases?
A: Absolutely. We work with specialized art logistics partners to ship works worldwide. Since the atelier is based in Switzerland, we manage all necessary documentation to ensure a smooth customs process for international collectors. We also build custom wooden crates on-site to ensure maximum protection during transit.
Q: Can I book a private viewing or meet the artist?
A: Yes, private viewings are the preferred way to experience CasaGalleria.ART. We welcome collectors, curators, and small groups for studio visits where they can meet Yuri Catania, see the works in progress, and explore the dialogue between the art and the surrounding nature of Val Mara.