The Decorative Graffiti Friezes by Carlo Basilico on Monte Generoso

This video conversation tells the story of a decorative sgraffito frieze by painter and ornatist Carlo Basilico in the former Hotel Bellavista on Monte Generoso, which was created in 1943 during the Second World War. Basilico's work unfolds in three sections on the walls of the "Music Hall", which, although they feature different motifs, have a common denominator: the idea of unity. The geographical unity of Switzerland and Ticino, the cultural unity of Europe with the musicians and the historical unity through the joint development of Monte Generoso. In addition, the technique of sgraffito, a sophisticated fresco painting, and the classical Renaissance style of this work, which emphasised the affirmation of unity and harmony in the midst of the turmoil of war at the time, are explained. The graffiti on the south side of the “Music Hall” describing the history of Monte Generoso in five scenes were rescued in 1999 and since 2017 have been on display in the “Fiore di pietra”, the Monte Generoso Visitor Centre built by architect Mario Botta. The aim of the video conversation is to recall this art, and to convey its deeper message of hope and cohesion.