Muralto is enriched with a new important work of art. In the space in front of the Hotel Lago Maggiore, opened a few months ago, a bronze sculpture by Ivo Soldini of big dimensions. It measures 2013 m. in width, 4.50 in depth and 4 in height for a weight of approximately 3.50 tons. It was designed for this specific space and was built in the last year.
Already in the name, “Take the light”, the vocation of this work of art is contained, which structurally addresses, stretches out towards the lake. Towards the surface, now calm, now slightly undulating, and in particular towards the brightness that comes from the lake, admittedly to absorb the reflections of light from the Verbano from that particularly valuable location on the Muraltese lakeside. And towards the perspective of the lake enclosed between hills and mountains, the sculpture projects both its massive volume, however tempered through the plastic work aimed at creating movements and relationships within the structural bodies of the work, as well as the meaning referring expressly to the human figure , to groups of figures gathered together in a close confrontation, in a generational development, in relationships of close proximity and, finally, in dialogues of solidarity, which are configured both from a geographical and historical point of view. In this way the sculpture is linked to the long, important history of the region as well as to the distinctive presence in Muralto of men of culture and artists among the greatest of the twentieth century, who contributed to building the history of the Municipality.
The work develops with a powerful volume on an inclined base, which comes to life in the projection of groups of human figures, rigid and tightly stretched bodies, solidly elongated towards space. So the sculpture appears to stretch beyond the physical space of the lakefront, of which it becomes an important distinctive element (also due to the slightly golden patination), beyond the shore, precisely towards the light of the lake surface, thus feeding that vital tension which supports it, and which at the same time contains and interprets its meaning.
Ivo Soldini confirms with this work to cultivate the relationship with the tradition of sculpture, albeit in an updated and personal form. “Soldini's work - writes Maddalena Disch in the Lexicon of the Swiss artists - is inscribed in that strand of the sculptural tradition that places human representation at the center of attention, in particular the psychological investigation of the modern existence of man”.
Designed by the artist who lives in Ligornetto and has its creative base mainly in Mendrisiotto (the fusion was carried out at the Perseo foundry in Mendrisio), the work rests on a pedestal and is supported by an important substructure that guarantees its stability.
The artist
Ivo Soldini (Lugano 1951), after compulsory school in Bellinzona and the cantonal high school in Lugano, follows studies at the Brera Academy and at the State University of Milan, faculty of political science, literature and art history. He dedicates himself to drawing and painting in an expressionist-symbolist field, and since 1976 he has concentrated on small and medium-sized bronze sculpture (statuettes and reliefs, sometimes also in aluminum and plaster), which over time is characterized by monumental creations for spaces both public and private. In the meantime he continues to carry out a fertile graphic production (pencil drawings, charcoal, Indian ink, mixed techniques), of engraving (etchings and drypoint) and painting (tempera, watercolors, oils).
In the 70s he participated in the 22 Movement. Since 1973 he has exhibited in many galleries, in public or private exhibition venues in Switzerland with an assiduous presence beyond the Gotthard and abroad. He is considered one of the most representative artists of the area south of the Alps. His path is marked by important personal exhibitions. Suffice it to mention those proposed in Bellinzona, Palazzo Civico (1981), in Milan, Swiss Center (2001), at the Château de Gruyères (2005), at the G di Vira Gambarogno (2015) and in Locarno, Casa Rusca Municipal Art Gallery (2017). In 2005 the artist donated about seventy works to the Cardiocentro of Lugano, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, watercolors and engravings. In 2017 he exhibited his art collection at the Giovanni Züst cantonal art gallery in Rancate; in 2019 a series of his large-scale works was placed on Monte Tamaro.
