Lugano's public art guide: from street murals to lakeside sculptures

A guide to Lugano's public art reveals a rich tapestry of sculptures, installations, and street art spread across the city. Key works include a pink resin head by Nicolas Party outside the LAC, installed in recent weeks; Igor Mitoraj's bronze 'Eros bendato' in Piazza Indipendenza, acquired in 2002; and a copy of Vincenzo Vela's 'Desolazione' in Parco Ciani. The Parco delle sculture features works by Nag Arnoldi and Max Bill. Street art includes 'Close Up' by Nevercrew in Viale Stefano Franscini 27, a large mural of whales, and a gorilla stencil 'Boundary bars' by the same crew in Viale Cassarate 4. Temporary projects have included 'Echoes' by Mathias Gmachl, a 18x6 meter steel whale in Parco Ciani that emits sounds to deter visitors, highlighting human disturbance of marine fauna. Other past projects include Cracking Art Group's blue snails in 2013 and Helidon Xhixha's mirrored sphere acquired in 2019. The city collaborates with Arte Urbana Lugano (AUL) to promote public art.