mural

The art piece

In La Tzoumaz, the artist duo Alegria del Prado has created a spectacular mural measuring over 500 m², the largest on the OPEN AIR MUSEUM route. Installed on an imposing retaining wall, this art piece transforms the concrete space into a poetic tribute to the water cycle, while illustrating the harmony between nature and modernity thanks to its perfect integration into the landscape.

The mural explores the different forms of water – gaseous, liquid and solid – through the seasons, symbolizing its perpetual flow and vital importance. The nuances of color, inspired by the transitions from sunrise to sunset, lend the art piece a dreamlike atmosphere that envelops the viewer.

Emblematic elements of the region are interwoven with symbolic animals to open up a metaphorical narrative. Behind these animal figures unfolds a poetic narrative in which water is personified: the swans illustrate the pearls of water that rise from the lake in the form of steam, reach the sky, then fall back down as rain during thunderstorms, represented by the dynamics of struggling chamois. The bear, which has long since disappeared from the Valais region, evokes the raw power of nature. The fur of these creatures harbors a multitude of animal details, inviting the viewer on a visual quest. These subtleties add a playful dimension, an infinite exploration within this monumental art piece, where fantasy reigns supreme.

The art piece is also in keeping with the theme of linking, not only through its representation of the water cycle, but also by echoing a local feature: Riddes is home to the largest number of bridges and underpasses in the region. The mural itself becomes a symbolic bridge, linking the natural and human worlds. It creates a cultural and artistic link, while paying homage to the commune’s identity and encouraging reflection on the protection of natural resources.