The Old Dog Asks: Did One Artist Really Beautify an Entire Town?
The transformation was pervasive and tangible. The touch of color and humour was uplifting. How did one artist come to have such a great effect on this tiny town?
Yesterday I went to the small town of Tremona near Mendrisio Switzerland to do a quote for a potential customer. What I found there brightened my day!
The beauty, color, humour and intrigue of the murals are palpable!
Intriguing, Whimsical, Vibrant and Cheerful Murals Were Everywhere
As I walked through the narrow streets looking for my destination I was intrigued to see so many tiny murals in the "Trompe-l'oil" style. What was even more interesting is that many of them covered what would have otherwise been mundane access panels to electrical or water services. Naked panels that would have detracted from the "antique" look of this ancient town have now been transformed into fitting features.
"Trompe-l'oil" defined:
- Is from French and literally means ‘deceives the eye’.
- Visual illusion in art, especially as used to trick the eye into perceiving a painted detail as a three-dimensional object.
- A painting or design intended to create a visual illusion.
This piece, painted in 1988 covers an otherwise stark access panel!
This painting from 1991 is actually a sign pointing the way to the studio of another artist which is just down the lane.
Who Was This Playful Artist?
Tazio Marti was born in Lucerne in 1947 and studied at the School of Artistic Industries in Lugano Switzerland. After graduating, he worked as a graphic artist in Basel and since 1976 he has devoted himself entirely to painting. He lives in the nearby town of Besazio and one of his specialties is "Trompe-l'oil" painting on the masonry and panels of private and public buildings.
Tazio Marti has many other paintings adorning the village of Tremona and other surrounding villages. I will return to explore and enjoy them!
This playful painting done in 1993 adorns the small municipal office building of the town
This work of art is unfortunatley a little worse for wear.
This mural from 1995 once again features a cat! There were many real cats roaming the village!
One Artist Has Beautified an Entire Town! Many Artists Have Beautified Steemit!
Yes one artist living and working near the town of Tremona has beautified it and given it a special character. Are we not thrilled to have many artists inhabiting the realms of Steemit? From painters, to sculptors, to musicians, poets, authors, photographers and cartoonists let's embrace and support these great contributors to our global village!
Points to Ponder
- Do you enjoy the "Trompe-l'oil" style?
- Do Steemit's artists add beauty to our global village?
- Who are your favourite artists here on Steemit?
I hope that you enjoyed reading about how one artist beautified an entire town!
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Remember, I reward the best comment(s) on each of my posts with my "The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone" program! So please re-steem and follow so that we can spread the wealth!
This is wonderful-- thanks for sharing it!
Not only are the murals charming and whimsical... but I really like the fact that the town is so open to letting the artist put his mark on all these public spaces. So often towns get too tied down with "small politics" to appreciate the benefits of the end outcome (you know "well if HE gets to do that, my cousin's son who paints should ALSO get to do that, or I will vote against it!" state of mind).
Thanks so much @denmarkguy. Your right about the small politics. It seems that his paintings have caught on as being fashionable in that town. I will be making more visits to uncover some more treasures as it's actually only about 20 minutes away from where I live.
Very nice-- look forward to the next!
Great post and very very interesting for me, not because my mother's tongue is French, but simply because of the nature of the art itself. What a treat to find such a village. Over the course of the years, I have travelled quite a bit all over North America and have came across such villages where the artists or one main artist created a real transformation of the place and thus rendering the location much more alive and vibrant.
I was surprised to see translation for the expression to "Trompe-l'oil", instead of "Trompe l'Oeil". The very old term "Oil" is one of the two source of the French language itself where "oeil" is the French word for "eye".
In relation to my favourite artists, I have to raise my hat way up there for @jankasparec who's paintings are hitting home every single time. Worth the trip to check out the art work he's been sharing with us since the beginning of his time with us. Not only is the painting itself poignant, but his stories accompanying the paintings are shooting straight from the heart. I simply LOVE it! I hope you equally enjoy.
Again, thanks for the sharing of this beautiful discovery. Have a great weekend, keep your smile and namaste :)
Hey @eric-Boucher thanks so much for your interesting points. I will check @jankasparec as the name is new to me!
Many blessings to you!
Wow - seems the Old Dog and his bones become the top author now on steemit - well done @kus-knee - you rock the community
Thanks for having a look @uwelang. My biggest desire is that we can all succeed together!
Yes - same here - fingers crossed - we need to unite as real community
Very nice the images! (;
Thanks @lordemau. The REAL photographer is you!
Ehehehe...you too my friend! (;
Have you heard of Gaudi ?
Beautified a whole city, before it was cool.
I'd love to go and see his works!
Gaudi was an extraordinary architect. Worked only in Barcelona.
Another great architect was Friedrich Hundertwasser, in Wienna.
The Art one can see in Barcelona is truly breathtaking.
Beautiful paintings, so colorful!! The cats caught my attention too!! Only one dog, hum?! ;)
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
Please check your wallet!
Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
Thank you so much!! :)
I'm not sure if you still remember to ask a couple of weeks ago what was the most vivid memory of a concert. I already have the photos and the ticket, I'll be posting it soon :) (Thanks to you)
Yes I remember. Looking forward to it!
Thanks so much. Yes so far I've only seen one dog but I will return to explore some more!
Good luck on finding dogs next time! :)
Adorable paintings! I love all of them! Really streetart.
Upvoted and resteemed.
Thanks so much @kalemandra! I love them too! I felt as though I had "discovered" a treasure!
You are welcome!
I also initially thought of street art. :)
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
Please check your wallet!
Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
Interesting and funny...
Thanks @jsantana!
What a great post, Old Dog. That art is really amazing and the color combination is perfect!
Do you enjoy the "Trompe-l'oil" style?
Of course, I did and I saw here on steemit a lot of great artists that have great art skills! This is a really nice post!
Hi @the-future you're right about there being great artists here on Steemit.
This is a great style, I like! So many years have passed both created, and now it's on Steemit!
Thanks for your comment @dolov.