Eight hundred thousand fragments, one embracing the other, shine on the promenade of mosaics. It is a walk that enlightens the eyes and warms the heart, just a stone’s throw from the sea in Marotta, where the blue mixes with over 200 multicoloured mosaics. It is like dreaming for a moment that you are walking in Barcelona among the works of Antoni Gaudì. The technique used, trencadìs (the re-use of irregular fragments of ceramic, glass and other materials which are discarded and turned into artistic mosaics), here on the Adriatic coast, is exactly the one devised by the Catalan master artist.
In just five years, the Chiaro Scuro cultural association, together with artists, including international ones, and many local businesses, has decorated well over a kilometre of seafront for the Mosaichiamo la città urban regeneration project, supported by the Mondolfo municipal administration.
These extraordinary numbers make Marotta the Italian capital of open-air mosaics. We are in the heart of the Marche, in the province of Pesaro Urbino, along the Adriatic Sea, in the land of “two holidays in one”. Mondolfo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a treasure trove of art and culture, and Marotta, with its award-winning sea, where the Blue Flag and the Green Flag of Pediatricians fly, for beaches suitable for children and services appreciated by families, together with the Yellow Flag of Bicycle City, for its commitment to the promotion and implementation of infrastructure and policies in favour of cycling.
The mosaics on the wall between the beach, the pavement and the cycle path are destined to grow, so much so that in the coming months they will colour another 500 metres of promenade
True works of art to be enjoyed, they fascinate and enchant tourists and visitors as they cycle along the Adriatic cycle path or take a stroll, pausing to observe the many volunteers who, with skill and passion, attach the many fragments. At dawn or at dusk a sublime mixture, with the colours of the mosaics mingling with those of the sky, offering unique emotions, perhaps before a swim in the crystal-clear sea or while sipping an aperitif in one of the many characteristic kiosks.
Art, social, promotion of the territory: each mosaic has a well-defined theme. It is the message, as well as the beauty, that strikes. Like the one launched by The Dance of the Red Shoes against gender violence: 45 metres of mosaics depicting over 130 red shoes signed by many artists, including international ones. The one that “speaks” of child malnutrition has no less impact.
Many of the mosaics are part of the Frammentiuniti initiative, created in collaboration with artists from the territory and beyond. Like Big fish, designed by Francesco Diotallevi and created fragment by fragment together with Chiaro Scuro. It can be seen near the pier, one of the most evocative places in the city, where the view stretches as far as the Conero Riviera.
A little further on is the one dedicated to ‘Il mare d’inverno‘, signed by Enrico Ruggeri. Marotta inspired the famous song by the artist, who has also been an honorary citizen since 2015. And since 2018 Marotta has officially become the City of the mare d’inverno (Winter Sea), with the granting of territorial designation by the city council. School children worked on the mosaic, whose graphics were created by the late Giuliano De Minicis, as well as volunteers from the association.
Each year, the promotion of the land of “two holidays in one” gives way to a major social theme, involving hundreds of artists from all over the world. In 2021, peace has been chosen. On 21 September, the artistic twinning project will be presented together with the mosaic artist and Ambassador for Peace in Sousse (Tunisia) Bady Essid Jaballah. On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, a 50-metre mosaic will be inaugurated. An event that will give extraordinary visibility to Marotta, like last year’s Mosaichiamo la Città festival, the second edition of which is planned for 2022.
Art, colours, an award-winning sea, kilometres of cycle paths, quality food and wine: summer is coming and Marotta is ready to welcome visitors and tourists.
