Italian artist to demonstrate skills in Oman

The contemporary Italian artist said she will live paint a falcon on a colourful stone at the four-day event, which will take place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre

MUSCAT: Italian artist and dancer Lucia Olivia will display two mirror-effect installations, and sculpt a new one at the Home Show exhibition on Monday.

The contemporary Italian artist said she will live-paint a falcon on a colourful stone at the fourday event, which will take place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Visitors will be encouraged to suggest a title for the painting, and the person with the winning name will receive a hand-size volcanic stone from Italy.

Imperfect is perfect

Lucia often carried her heavy, volcanic rocks on a donkey’s back on the Island of Alicudi near Sicily to create her unique art.

“I prefer imperfect stones, marked in their shape by time or accidents, characterised by grooves or rifts, which are the source of my inspiration,” she said.

The remote volcanic island, she noted, has inspired many artists and poets in Italy.

Along with her husband, Luca, she will display more sculptures next March at Bait Al Zubair.

“We will unveil a special piece that celebrates Oman,” Luca said.

Primarily, Lucia paints on natural stones, often creating different set-ups with mirrors, in which she paints half an image on a stone, and uses a mirror to complete the opposite part.

Value of eternity

“Stones perfectly embody the value of eternity and, also, because in my artworks I want to give a three dimensional life to values, ideas or feelings that, being abstract, do not have one, or give a different shape and essence to real objects, as I feel them in my soul,” she said.

Her artworks can weigh up to 70 kilogrammes. Her art has received growing success and appreciation in exhibitions in Europe, as well as India, UAE and other Gulf countries. The couple will stay in Oman until mid-December, and will return for a larger solo exhibition in May 2017.

– Image courtesy Villarroel Torrico The multi-million dollar Salam Yiti riviera project will create a hilltop golf-community with apartments, townhouses, villas, and a boutique hotel. Although the main attraction is the golf course, there will also be a leisure club, marina and eco-centre, and a souq. According to project architects Villarroel Torrico, the challenges created by the mountainous topography were converted into a “great opportunity to design luxury residences with all units having incredible panoramic views.” The buildings, carved into the mountain, will keep cost and environmental impact at the minimum and also “reflect the rich Omani history and traditions.” The project has an estimated land area of 250,000sqm and built area 130,000sqm.

MIRROR IMAGE: Lucia paints on natural stones, often creating different set-ups with mirrors, in which she paints half an image on a stone, and uses a mirror to complete the opposite part.