Let's walk through some of the historic streets of our city, Gisira Street, Pardo Street, Riccioli Street and the other little streets that host the stalls of the Fish market (Seafood and raw fish), One of the symbolic places of our city. In recent times the area, thanks to the opening of new venues, food and wine shops and new artistic installations, is experiencing a new lifeLet's find out what happened with the colorful umbrellas hung from Messina brothers, which have given life to an immersive experience, the latest trend in terms of street furniture.
Cities with umbrellas
The idea of decorating the city streets using colorful umbrellas hanging, moved by the wind, was born in 2012 in Portugal, precisely ad 'Agueda, on the occasion ofAgitagueda Art FestivalFrom then on, the use spread throughout Europe. Since 2013, this way of decorating streets has also conquered Italy. The arrangement is chosen for numerous cultural, touristic and other events. The umbrellas give shadow and fill with color the installation sites, lead cheerfulness, they prevent a small street from remaining anonymous, they create shadow games very suggestive. Simple umbrellas become today contemporary works of art, protagonists together with the murals of street art.
A real craze that has invaded many foreign and Italian cities: Thessaloniki, London, Sofia, Jerusalem, Rotterdam, Brescia, Ferrara, Arona, Assisi, Marina di Pietrasanta, Treviglio, Gallarate, Ravenna, villages of the Sardinia and Campania, of Puglia and Calabria but also the Sicilian cities of Sciacca e Catania.
Via Gisira: the street of umbrellas
Hundreds of colorful hanging umbrellas have been capturing the attention of Catanians and tourists for some time now, with their noses in the air to photograph waving umbrellas, arranged in rows, for Gisira Street, which has now become the "Umbrella Street“This beautiful installation is having a lot of success. The owners of various businesses in the area wanted it, namely Vuciata, Fisharia and Hostel, to promote the premises and attract more visitors in this vibrant area of Catania.
When the wind blows, the umbrellas sway, coming to life, moving back and forth, as if in a real dance. The colorful parasol and rain cover They are beautiful during the day, and become magical in the evening thanks to the clever lighting created dai Messina brothers. In this context it is possible to have lunch, dinner, aperitifs and taste the delicious wines of our rich territory.
Many musical groups and artists now perform in the area, increasing the appeal of this part of Etna, which is so popular with tourists. Many consider this area a jewel in the crown, a calling card for promoting our city abroad. a city we like!
The Messina Brothers
Walter Messina, together with the brothers Massimo e Concept They are the creators of the street art work. The installation went viral thanks to the photographer's wonderful shots. Except Puccio. A simple yet effective idea to achieve the goal set by its creators and creators themselves. Here's what Walter Messina told us.
How and when did your business begin?
«Our business was born in 1991. Me together with my brothers Massimo and Concetto We created the company. In twenty-eight years of business we have gradually expanded, dealing with lighting installations for eventsWe started out as decorators for Christmas lights, but we've gradually expanded our scope to organize displays for private events like weddings or parties and festivals, such as the Beer Festival, which recently concluded at the Katané shopping center in Gravina.».
Which projects best represent you and are you most proud of?
«Over the years we have managed to work outside of Catania, including Lampedusa, Nola, and Augusta. We have curated numerous installations. The ones closest to our hearts are:Christmas tree made with a real pine tree, 25 meters high, in the center of University Square in Catania, in the last 2009 and theChristmas display in Piazza Politeama in Palermo. These works have certainly been very successful and make us proud of our work.».
How many umbrellas are installed on Via Gisira?
«The umbrellas we have hung in these three historic streets are approximately 700, combining them according to a studied coloristic effect. Furthermore, we can say that we have reworked the main idea of the hanging umbrellas by creating a lighting system with LED lamps inserted under each umbrella. This is a our creation which makes the area usable day and night in different ways».
Who inspired you? What is the goal of this urban design project?
«We tried to best realize the idea suggested by one of the entrepreneurs on Via Gisira, Marco Tabacco, and, as mentioned, we added a personal touch: the lighting. You won't find this type of setup anywhere else. The goal pursued by the merchants in this area is to make these streets the living and beating heart of the city, taking advantage of the enormous potential both day and night, with commercial activities and concert cafés».
How long will umbrellas remain floating in the air?
«The umbrella setup will be maintained until early NovemberTogether with the entrepreneurs of the area we are planning to create different installations every four months and increasingly original. A new display suitable for the Christmas period will follow shortly and subsequently, we will think of something special for the feast of S. Agata, since these streets are strategic points for the processions of the fercolo and the candlestick ».
Are you planning to carry out other similar projects in Catania? Which areas?
«At the moment we are focused on the center of CataniaTogether with the municipality and an association we are organizing the Christmas lightsIt will be a very special installation that will mainly interest University Square, which will become a sort of Christmas village with the traditional little houses hosting the market. The new setup will follow in May 202, for the new season. I won't reveal anything; you'll see for yourself in a little while. Other projects are still top secret. ».
Other installations in Via Mazza
A side street of the very central street is also affected by other waving umbrellas alternating between white ones with gold handles and multicoloured ones. Via Vittorio Emanuele, close to the splendid Church of San Placido, exactly in Mazza Street, These displays were also created here by restaurant owners, with the same goal of redeveloping and making the area more attractive. We can't wait to see the next installations. Some are thinking of hanging multicolored pinwheels, others of colorful sacks with unique color effects like those on Via Cavour in Syracuse. We're sure to see some beautiful things!
If you want to see for yourself and stroll in the shade of colorful umbrellas, we invite you to wander the streets of this reborn part of Catania's historic center!
Photo: Sabrina Portale
