"Moon Flowers Generoso Mission": Yuri Catania Brings Eco-Street Art and Bronze Sculpture to Val Mara
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Val Mara Transforms into a Contemporary Art Stage
On April 19, 2026, the Municipality of Val Mara (Switzerland) will officially inaugurate a major cultural project that transforms the local territory into a vibrant stage for urban and contemporary art.
At the center of this initiative is the dialogue between visual artist Yuri Catania and the surrounding Swiss landscape. The project explores the deep connection between humanity, nature, and technology, bringing together the Moon, Monte Generoso, and local wild peonies. This artistic narrative will unfold through two parallel events: the unveiling of a monumental participatory street art installation and the opening of his highly anticipated solo exhibition.
"Moon Flowers Generoso Mission": Participatory & Biodegradable Street Art
The facade of the Casa comunale (Town Hall) will serve as the canvas for "Moon Flowers Generoso Mission", a large-scale street art artwork created using the eco-friendly paste-up technique with 100% biodegradable materials. The image is a surreal tribute to the local territory: a giant moon, photographed from the artist's studio in Rovio, rests on the peak of Monte Generoso, surrounded by a constellation of vibrant pink wild peonies, the official symbol of the Val Mara municipality. This installation is not just meant to be admired; it is built collectively. Following the involvement of elementary schools in Melano and Rovio, Catania transforms public art into an inclusive community event. Citizens of all ages are invited to actively participate in the cutting and pasting phases of the mural.
"Yuri in Wonderland" Solo Exhibition (April 19 – June 12, 2026)
The first floor of the Casa comunale will host the "Yuri in Wonderland" solo exhibition. The collection showcases how the Val Mara territory, specifically Rovio where the artist lives and works, serves as his daily creative gravity center.
The exhibition traces Catania’s artistic evolution:
Mixed Media Evolution: From his signature night photography of garden flowers—captured in complete darkness using only a flashlight, to melancholic black-and-white visions of Monte Generoso, fully transformed through acrylic and oil overpainting.
The First Bronze Sculpture: The exhibition marks an absolute milestone with the debut of "New Eva 2029", Yuri Catania’s very first bronze sculpture, created in collaboration with the prestigious Fonderia Perseo.
Interactive Technology: Blending the physical and digital worlds, the artworks feature hidden layers revealed only through Augmented Reality (AR) and UV lighting.
To fully immerse visitors in the artist's poetics, the exhibition offers special guided night tours. Visitors will explore the gallery equipped with flashlights, retracing Catania's original photographic technique in the dark to discover hidden fluorescent colors and details invisible by day.
The Artist's Vision "Rovio has become my center of gravity," explains Yuri Catania. "With 'Moon Flowers Generoso Mission,' I am bringing the beauty I see from my atelier to the streets. The moon rising over Monte Generoso is the same moon that connects us to the rest of the world. In my artworks, wild peonies and Vanessa butterflies become icons of resilience. Bringing these elements to the Town Hall facade means celebrating this territory's identity and making it part of a collective dream."
Visitor Information: "Yuri in Wonderland" Exhibition & Street Art
📍 Location: Casa comunale Val Mara Via Cantonale 89, 6818 Melano (Switzerland)
🎉 Official Inauguration: April 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM (Unveiling of the street art and exhibition opening)
🗓️ Exhibition Dates & Opening Hours: From April 20 to June 12, 2026. Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays): 08:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (or by appointment).
🔦 Guided Tours & Night Sessions: Free of charge, reservation required. Discover the artworks in the dark using flashlights! Book your guided tour here
✉️ Press Contact: Silvia Torricelli – Yuri Catania Studio Press Office Email: silvia@yuricatania.art | Phone: +41 79 137 31 11