Giulio Menossi’s Dynamic Mosaics That Tell Stories
(4 min read)
Starting from his over 40 years long experience in the Venetian technique, Giulio Menossi developed his own great and expressive mosaic process, by creating stories through his mosaic artworks. His love for creating things improvising, transforming emotions into colors and emotional mosaics, brought him to everyone’s love and attention. And now being member of the most prestigious exhibition juries in the field, Menossi still acts as master mosaicist in special workshops and he still manages to work in his personal laboratory in Udine, Italy.
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
What would you like to tell us about yourself?
I started working in Milan when I was 19. In 1974 I had the good fortune to cross a great master Domenico Coledani in my path. From him I learned the secrets of the technique and the many ways to work with cards and with the materials. I worked with him for 40 years and even now we sometimes collaborate together. At the same time having a regular daily work of 9-10 hours, I have always “cultivated” my personal way of making mosaic. And I always imagined that one day mosaic could become art – art autonomous, independent, not “applied art” as it was then defined to belittle it. Now, after over 40 years, we can begin to say that “Mosaic Is Art”. Without adjectives or qualifications. I think there is still a lot of work to do to fully affirm this idea, but a great journey has been made, carrying out experimentation without forgetting the “classical” teachings.
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
What would you say mosaic is for you?
I would like to start by saying what mosaic “is not” for me. It’s not pure technique. It’s not an accumulation of materials. It’s not a more or less casual space filling. It’s not fashion. It’s not the will to surprise at all costs. It’s not presumption of knowing. For me, the mosaic is My Life! It is above all passion, love, dreams, imagination, continuous research, the desire to innovate without ever losing sight of the teachings of the “Old Masters”. The mosaic is telling stories. It is involving the viewer, bringing them into my world, making them kids again, walking with them in a magical world made of colors, movements, shapes and of course harmonies!
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
What do you want to communicate to people with your mosaics?
With the dynamic mosaics, I try to involve the people who look at my works. I would like their attention not only to be kidnapped for a moment. I would like them to enter my world and look for the objects. Understand the “whys” of my choices. I want them to touch the mosaics that “move” them, that experience the pleasure of being involved in some way in building a work of art, who participate in the performance of the work. I want to tell stories. Without worrying about being original, without thinking about what people will think. I want children’s eyes: eyes that are amazed with open hearts.
Everything else does not belong to me.
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
What’s the idea of Dynamic Mosaics?
Dynamic was born to make the idea of movement, to be dynamic in the shapes, in the colors, in the titles, in the objects that I insert. The idea is for the mosaics to be as dynamic as life.
I imagined and thought of the dynamic mosaics already in the mid-70s, but the path to its realization was long, very long. I have traveled many roads before I understood how and what to do. And in 2000 it was born. The idea has come to life. And now I am here with all these shapes and colors. Where nothing is due to the case, where everything is fruit of determined and precise choices. I have never tried to amaze the public with improbable random insertions of materials, but I have always tried to experiment and to leave a mark.
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
Tell us about your dreams.
I’ve seen my dreams slowly come true. I think I am a very lucky person. I fought a lot, sometimes I risked succumbing. I’ve always been a lone wolf who walked on the edge of the woods, away from the packs. I think this was also partly my luck. I did not let myself be contaminated by those who felt strong just because they were many. I spent nights in tears, sometimes the desire to abandon everything, but I had a dream! I am where i am today because of this dream. But I still have suitcases full of desires. Now I want to fly a little higher. Fly more freely, be more imaginative. I would like to be able to print my second book in which to tell the story of dynamic mosaics. I would like some international exhibition to exhibit at least 20-25 dynamic mosaics to tell and explain a story that started over 40 years ago. I would like the art of the mosaic to enter the main door in museums. I would like to have eyes as a child to look at the colors of life. Now I try to continue to make my world, the mosaic world, all the passion that has guided me here.
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
What would your advice be to younger generation of mosaicists and mosaic lovers?
Right now I do not see many new trends. I see a lot of confusion. Many young people who do more or less the same things with the same techniques with very little creativity. Many only make copies from photographs, fill only the space. I see a lot of excitement but a lot of craftsmanship with little art and few dreams and little imagination. But I still think, that this is all important to make the movement grow. I think that in the next years we will see the real talents. For now, among the new lovers of the mosaic, I see only a great deal of presumption. The real problem is that at this moment in the mosaic world everything feels great – innovators, artists, creators. But I do not see many new trends. In my lectures I always conclude by saying that “You must believe in your dream, cultivate day after day your talent and especially you MUST tell stories.”
Copyright © Giulio Menossi
We surely hope you enjoyed reading Menossi’s one of a kind interview. Just like his mosaics, here too, he gave stories and emotions trying to give his readers a chance to walk in his own shoes. And you can feel free to drop your questions to our mosaicists and we will make sure to cover them all.
Now, go ahead and check some Menossi’s talkative mosaic tile art here. Since you know him a little better now, you will totally enjoy his stories from his mosaic artworks.
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49 Comments
That’s incredible. Dynamic is probably the best word to describe his works. Love the flow, depth and colors he uses in his work. Simply stunning
Oh wow! Those are insane and gorgeous! I totally want one over my fireplace!!
Sensational designs. Can we order a replica?Are you authorized by the artist to sell replicas? I would love to buy one… or two 🙂
We’re not authorized to sell replicas but we’re happy to hook you up with the artist.
Those are really beautiful mosaics! The artist is talented!!
Those are really awesome art pieces. I love art and the stories behind each piece.
Those are so gorgeous. Story or no story, they mesmerize me. He really knows how to use color and motion.
These creations are amazing, and so colorful! I love learning about what inspires people to create totally custom art.
This is incredibly beautiful. The talent involved in this is extraordinary. So lovely!
Never seen this level of complexity in mosaics before, very cool form of art!
They are all gorgeous! Art always tells a story.
The colors he uses for each of his pieces are captivating. I love the details in each of his works.
It’s nice to cross paths with those who can teach you a thing or two. Glad Giulio was able to run into someone who helped him along the way. He creates such lovely pieces.
This is beautiful. It’s so amazing to learn about the process and the hands behind it!
Wow, he is so great and I love everything about his works. I can say that he is really an extraordinary artist.
you really did a great job with this! Very very informative!
Oh Nice
They are looking great ! Seeing them for first time . Thanks for sharing
These are stunning! Amazing that he can create something like this!
These are some incredible works of art. They are so unique and colorful. I love these
Oh wow these are really magnificent! I’ve never seen anything like it! Also (side note): I absolutely LOVE that you list the read time at the top of your articles, I’m totally going to start doing this (brilliant)!
Thanks a lot Sara, happy you like it.
After reading this article I can really say that Giulio Menossi is really an amazing artist and when it comes to the art he is an extraordinary man. His creations are so beautiful and I really like it.
oh my gosh! really beautiful works of art! i admire the creator of these pieces. i can imagine it took so much time and effort involved in creating those.
First to hear about him and after seeing these photos of his creations I can say that he is really a great artist with a great imaginations.
Mosaic art is so beautiful. It seems like you can do so much with it and it is so versatile.
Oh My! I had no idea of this art! I love mosaic works but for me has always been a matter of 2D, these are 3D pieces!!
Wow, these are absolutely stunning! The time and love that must go into these pieces! Breathtaking.
This is absolutely stunning! I really admire his artworks so unique and incredibly beautiful. A kind of art that you will never forget.
Yes absolutely! Giulio creates stories, not just art! He is so good!
There so much artworks that we should love around the world. I ahve never seen as beautiful mosaic as this is.
I am so happy you like it, thank you so much for your comment!
This is Amazing! I really appreciate art and the work and dedication that goes into creating these intricate pieces. Imean look out how each tile is meticulously laid, the story each one tells. Gosh, I love it
Thank you so much Erica, i am so glad you like the work, Giulio is amazing!
How incredible! I love mosaic artwork…this is beautiful!
Wow, these are stunning! I would love one in our sitting room
Omg, they are so beautiful. This is amazing 3D arts.
these are insanely beautiful!! I would love a few all over my home
These mosaics are so beautiful, I especially love the ones that are more red coloured.
That is such a beautiful piece of work! And I also enjoyed the interview!
Wow love this mosaic art! looks so stunning and have a great talent.
Giulio Menossi’s mosaics look so lifelike. They seem to be alive and full of life. It was great to read his incredible journey and view his work 🙂
This is so beautiful and awesome at the same time. He has major skills and should open up his own art gallery or museum. His stuff is stunning.
Wow – these are so beautiful and creative! I love the creativity that goes into making mosaics!
He puts a lot of time and effort in to his work and it shows. These pieces are so very gorgeous!
That are truly an impressive mosaics. He really creative and talented to this kind of art.
These designs look fascinating. I had no idea that mosaics can be used to make such dynamic and fluid designs.
These are absolutely beautiful! The designs are breathtaking. He is such a talented and skilled person for sure!
My gosh, these are amazing! So creative and crafty – I would love one of these in my house x
These creations look so alive and vibrant. If you have this in a room, it will surely standout and resonate the same vibe to all the people who will be in the same room.