Empowering Generations
- Title
- Empowering Generations
- Creator
- Claudia Valentino & Daniela Bianchini
Claudia Valentio (Clau) originally is from Argentina but came to Minneapolis in 2009. In Argentina at the National University Institute of Art (NUIA) she studied corporal, a contemporary dance technique. For three years she studied this dance technique that expresses emotions through body movements. She also studied documentary photography at the Association of Argentine Graphic Reporters (ARGRA). She learned the craft of painting and mosaics with Greta and started working as a project leader in 2014 at Goodspace Murals Company. Today, Claudia is an independent artist specializing in the co-creation of murals, both painted and mosaics, driven by intense community partnership. One of the things she likes best about her profession is working with the community.
Daniela Bianchini was born and raised in Cordoba, Argentina. At a young age she moved to the United States. Currently she is a mosaic artist based in Minneapolis. Like Claudia, Daniela’s work aims to reflect and represent the community that surrounds it. She has dedicated her work to doing mosaics and public art. She is very dedicated and committed to expanding the possibilities of mosaics. She is a very driven and passionate artist. Daniela has helped make various other collaborative projects in Minneapolis possible. All in the aim to bring the community together. Daniela compares the art of mosaics to puzzles. “It’s about bringing a lot of small pieces together to make something beautiful,” she explained. “What I like about mosaics is that you can look at the piece from far away and be like oh, that’s cool, but when you get close to it, you can see all of the detail. My hope is people will come closer to really understand and appreciate the intricacy of the design.” - Date
- Date of Creation: 2019
Date of Documentation: 10-28-24 - Description
- The mural done by Claudia Valentino and Daniela Bianchini, titled Empowering Generations, is a sight to see. It is located on the West wall of the Precision Coatings building. This mural contains six small human figures, and one larger sized woman figure. The whole mural is of a large scale, so the viewer may need to step far back to take in the whole work. Along with the human figures there are also a few large flowers. The large woman figure is painted in various colors and holds her fist up high. The other smaller human figures are painted in a dark solid color, this illuminates their shape. These smaller human figures really stand out from the colorful background. Although, these smaller humans stand out, the focal point is the larger woman holding her fist up. Around her fist is a mosaic of glass/mirror and tiles, this draws the attention to the importance of her stance. A mosaic is a pattern made by setting small pieces of material onto a surface to create a design. In this case it is small pieces of mirror and colored tiles. All figures pop against the different shades of green and tan in the background. Along with the mosaic detail, this mural was created by using poly tab. Poly tab is a non-woven fabric that is lighter than canvas. This allows the artist to paint in their studio and then later apply the poly tab to the mural. The texture of the building is brick. When viewing this mural, three spaces are seen. The background is the geometrical green shapes and green and blue solid colors. The middle ground consists of the human figures that are one solid dark color. Finally, the foreground and focal point is the woman holding her fist high.
- Subject
- Strength, Support, and family are shown in this work. A strong woman of color raises her fist high as a sign for change. To empower and spark change. Another smaller woman stands under her raised arm as if she is supporting her raised arm. She is a support system. More images of smaller human figures represent a climb and others helping them keep climbing. A third woman figure is shown holding hands with a child and holding a child. This is the generation aspect of this piece. The theme of standing together and supporting one another is seen in this work. Having the courage to stand up for change and empower one another. To think of others, those before you, and those coming after you. Stand proud and strong now, help those standing with you to spark the change that is needed.
- Rights
- Artists: Claudia Valentino & Daniela Bianchini
Researcher: Gabby Johnson - Source
- Claudia Valentino. Claudia Valentino –– Minneapolis Institute of Art. (n.d.). https://new.artsmia.org/programs/mia-in-the-community/community-arts/community-commons-gallery/virtual-exhibition-breaking-the-silence-international-womens-day/claudia-valentino
Claudia Valentino + Daniela Bianchini. Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival. (n.d.). https://www.chromazone.net/claudia-valentino-daniela-bianchini
Minnesota Lottery. Blog Stone Arch Bridge Festival Art - Minnesota Lottery. (n.d.). https://www.mnlottery.com/blog/stone-arch-bridge-festival-2018
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Citation
Claudia Valentino & Daniela Bianchini Claudia Valentio (Clau) originally is from Argentina but came to Minneapolis in 2009. In Argentina at the National University Institute of Art (NUIA) she studied corporal, a contemporary dance technique. For three years she studied this dance technique that expresses emotions through body movements. She also studied documentary photography at the Association of Argentine Graphic Reporters (ARGRA). She learned the craft of painting and mosaics with Greta and started working as a project leader in 2014 at Goodspace Murals Company. Today, Claudia is an independent artist specializing in the co-creation of murals, both painted and mosaics, driven by intense community partnership. One of the things she likes best about her profession is working with the community. Daniela Bianchini was born and raised in Cordoba, Argentina. At a young age she moved to the United States. Currently she is a mosaic artist based in Minneapolis. Like Claudia, Daniela’s work aims to reflect and represent the community that surrounds it. She has dedicated her work to doing mosaics and public art. She is very dedicated and committed to expanding the possibilities of mosaics. She is a very driven and passionate artist. Daniela has helped make various other collaborative projects in Minneapolis possible. All in the aim to bring the community together. Daniela compares the art of mosaics to puzzles. “It’s about bringing a lot of small pieces together to make something beautiful,” she explained. “What I like about mosaics is that you can look at the piece from far away and be like oh, that’s cool, but when you get close to it, you can see all of the detail. My hope is people will come closer to really understand and appreciate the intricacy of the design.”, “Empowering Generations,” Museum in the streets: Murals in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, accessed February 19, 2026, https://mspmurals.omeka.net/items/show/40.