Mosaïke

Created for the Art Valais Open Air Museum, check the video in link

In the heart of Massongex’s school district, Portuguese artist Add Fuel unveils Mozaïke, a vibrant geometric mural that reconnects the commune with one of its most important heritage elements: the ancient Roman mosaics discovered on site. Among these archaeological treasures, the mosaic known as The Pugilists stands out as a key reference point. Add Fuel transforms these fragments of history into a contemporary visual system, building the entire composition like a mosaic itself, precise, layered, and fully geometric, without rips or organic textures.

The title MOSAÏKE blends French and German, reflecting the bilingual identity of Valais while hinting at the hybrid nature of the work. The mural draws from the region’s Roman past, when Massongex, then called Tarnaiae, served as a strategic commercial crossroads and the last port of call before goods traveled inland. This role shaped the cultural and economic development of the Chablais region, a story the artist brings back to the surface.

Add Fuel merges Roman motifs with local heraldic symbols, including the three towers, the Saint‑Maurice district cross, and the griffin. These elements, reinterpreted through his signature tile‑inspired style, create a visual bridge between Massongex’s ancient identity and its present‑day character.

Located near the Rhône, the mural also nods to the river’s historic function as a channel of exchange. Mozaïke becomes both a tribute to Mediterranean mosaic traditions and an invitation for residents to rediscover the layers of history beneath their everyday surroundings.