When I walk through the old town of Mendrisio, I seem to be trapped in the past. Magnificent palazzi with frescoes, Vespas in backyards and the Art Nouveau cinema make us dream of the good old days.
And yet, just a few steps from the old town, I come across traces of the present day, in the form of the buildings – designed by probably the most famous contemporary artist in this city, Mario Botta. His “Theater of Architecture” in the neighborhood of the architecture school only convinces me in its massive power in connection with the surroundings, the Chiesa dei Capuccini and the hypermodern Ospedale Regionale. It marks the transition to a future that is reflected in the buildings for the police and fire department. These are impressive in their colorfulness and straight lines, just like the office building of the Botta architectural firm.
The future has long since begun in Mendrisio.
I tried to convey the heat and the summery, bright atmosphere in the pictures using pale colors and a high-key feel.
The pictures were created during the TI-WS, which was also this year was organized by FineartPix.
For me, architecture is not just creating a space to protect people but to make them dream as well.
Mario Botta, Swiss Architect, *1943
