jazz off the wall
a photography journey through new orleans culture
Art Modern Museum of Ascona
22 June-01September 2024
CURATORIAL EXHIBITION
The project explores the diverse cultural mosaic of the city of New Orleans. Through the artist's lens, the jazz capital is revealed in a new series of black-and-white photographs, portraying the characters who bring the city to life with their music.
The photos alternate between the architecture of houses, historic buildings, and steamboats, and portraits of musicians, offering an authentic snapshot of daily life. Special attention is given to the female figure, depicted on multiple levels: from the city's first female mayor, LaToya Cantrell, to burlesque dancers, from the tradition of baby-dolls to jazz singers, true queens of live music nights.
Rooted in analog photography, the exhibition evolves into mixed media art. It presents a series of framed photo-compositions and two post-photographic works, hand-overpainted in acrylic — revealing Catania’s poetic shift from documentation to transformation.
PARTICIPATORY ARTWORK
Jazz Sky in a Room is a participatory artwork created by Yuri Catania during his exhibition at the Art Modern Museum of Ascona, from June 21 to September 1, 2024. Each week, the artist worked live in a museum space transformed into an open studio, inviting visitors to assist with paper cutting and collage. The piece—a 5.40 x 2.40 m canvas—started as a blank blue sky and gradually became a surreal vision of Ascona, filled with clouds of local flowers and jazz musicians. The final work is now on permanent display at the Ascona public school.
AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE
This exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience through augmented reality. Each artwork comes to life, revealing a multisensory layer created by the artist: short films that open a window into the everyday lives of the portrayed individuals. By downloading the free Artivive app on their smartphone, visitors can uncover hidden stories behind each image — blending visual art and storytelling in a surprising and emotional journey.
