Selci Public and  Visionary Murals

“Selci Visionaria” is a project of urban enhancement and redevelopment of the historic village of Selci, financed by the Office of Purpose for Small Municipalities of the Lazio Region, as part of the public notice “Un Paese ci vuole 2021.”

The goal of the project is to create an artistic path capable of speaking to both the heart and the mind, not only of pilgrims, but also of all those who will visit Selci, discovering its beauty and cultural traditions. The artists involved have made interventions aimed at responding to the needs of the community, improving the aesthetic quality of the spaces and making them more welcoming. The project aims to create a circuit that promotes and enhances the area, fusing together territory, culture, creativity and art.

Art installations and performances are scattered along an itinerary that starts from Piazza del Popolo and winds its way to the historic center.

“Selci Visionaria” is thus an experiential journey, focused on slow tourism and sensitive to the spiritual promptings that the route suggests, in line with the Way of St. Francis. The works emphasize the importance of human choice and action in the path of spiritual growth.

St. Francis of Assisi, an extremely relevant figure, reminds us of the importance of the relationship between man and the environment, founded on a covenant of mutual respect among all creatures. His invitation to strip ourselves of the superfluous is an exhortation to return to the essence of things, rediscovering the true nature of human relationships. Not an isolated singularity, but a part of a harmonious whole, reflecting the multiplicity of Creation.

THE ROOTS OF THE OLIVE – Tina Loiodice

“The Roots of the Olive Tree” is a work that synthesizes the agricultural tradition of the area, strongly linked to the cultivation of the olive tree, and the spirit of the Way of St. Francis.

Artist Tina Loiodice ‘s creations tell the deep connection between the community of Selci, dedicated to the cultivation of olive trees, and the very symbol of the olive tree, which accompanies the life and journey of St. Francis. The intent of the work is to root this connection between the area and the saint, highlighting the spiritual strength of this land.

St. Francis, in his words: “Look at the birds in the sky: they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Do you not count more than they?”, invites us to trust in Providence. In his sermon, we capture the essence of trust and hope, messages that the artist has combined with another fundamental theme: peace.

The olive tree, with its leaves and fruit, represents the cycle of life, between the sun and the moon, and is united with the figure of Francis and the birds, symbols of freedom and harmony. Pilgrims who walk the path of St. Francis to Selci will be able to encounter, through these works, the spirituality and thought of the saint. Providence and the Sacred are always present on our path, but it takes an enlightened gaze and spirit to recognize them.

EMPATHY – Maupal

Empathy is an inherent quality in human beings, enabling us to recognize the other as the bearer of thoughts, feelings and desires, and to actively participate in these experiences.

The artist Maupal wanted to bring out the concept of empathy in the current context, emphasizing the importance of adaptation and community cohesion, opposing the prevailing individualism. His message recalls the teaching of St. Francis, who through the Canticle of the Creatures celebrates life, love and respect for nature and animals.

Education in empathy is the central theme of the work, which invites openness to others, cultivating care and respect for each other, as well as toward the environment around us.

Maupal’s two murals are loaded with symbolism and convey a clear message, recalling the virtues of St. Francis: poverty, humility, wisdom, simplicity, charity, obedience and empathy. The wolf, represented in an allegorical key, becomes a symbol of evil tamed by love and gentleness, metaphors for every relationship with the other, especially the different and the unknown.

LUMINESCENCES – Anna Maria Angelucci

“Luminescences” is a work that recounts the journey of St. Francis, exploring his search for the meaning of existence and his connection with nature and others. The depiction unites the earth and the night sky, symbolizing the trajectories of Francis’ journey and his awareness of being an integral part of the cosmos, just like a tree, an animal or the sky itself.

By day, the work shows the map of Selci’s territory and the path Francis took in his search for self. At night, it lights up like the starry sky, revealing the constellation Cassiopeia and other stars, illuminating his path and that of those visiting Selci today.

The element of theoctagon recurs as a symbol of infinity, representing the “infinite worlds” and the link between the sun and the moon, central elements in Francis’ firmament.

MYSTIC NATURE – Felice Rufini

“Mystic Nature”, inspired by the figure of St. Francis, represents the spirit of nature that protects the village of Selci and its community. The sculpture reflects the deep connection between human beings and the environment, evoking Francis’ message about the importance of respecting and protecting nature.

Made of travertine, the work comes to life from a single block of natural material, which the artist carefully shaped to express a symbol of protection. “Natura Mistica” recalls the life cycle and the deep connection between man and the earth, conveying a message of gentleness and rebirth. Every small gesture of care toward the environment becomes essential for the protection of Creation, inviting reflection on each person’s role in preserving nature.

FORGETTING OURSELVES WE FIND OURSELVES – Ilaria Paccini

Inspired by the famous phrase attributed to St. Francis, Ilaria Paccini ‘s work highlights the social void in which those who do not recognize themselves in others find themselves. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of the square as a shared space, a place of encounter and exchange.

The artistic intervention exploits a pareidolia, creating a human face and body emerging from the wall and a foot touching the ground, symbolizing a path of new awareness. The Raku ceramic pavement, created with the collaboration of ceramicist Emanuele Fois, represents the beginning of this new human journey.

The green/gold color of the sculpture recalls olive oil, a symbol of tradition and wisdom, while the black foot represents darkness and ignorance, but also the beginning of a new light and awareness.

MEMBRA – Emanuele Fois

Emanuele Fois ‘s work complements that of Ilaria Paccini with a floor tile made of Raku ceramic, an ancient technique originating in Korea and Japan. The process, which involves firing at high temperature and subsequent reduction of the material, has produced unique tiles decorated with simple but deeply meaningful symbols.

This project involved the Selci community in a collective workshop, during which words from St. Francis were engraved on the tiles: “He who works with his hands is a worker. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.”

The public execution of the tiles was a true process of social alchemy, a rediscovery of the roots of making, contact with the earth and simplicity, values deeply linked to Franciscan philosophy. This path of creation represented a metaphorical “work in black,” in which the participants rediscovered the link between man and matter, starting from mud and earth, from which, according to myth, the human being was shaped.