The Italian artist Manu Invisible, in Ukraine with AICS Kiev, the Embassy, and the Institute of Culture, is recognizable by his glossy black mask with geometric shapes and black clothing decorated with paint traces. His career spans from graffiti to traditional fresco techniques, and he is known for his urban interventions that combine words of high symbolic value with urban landscapes.
These days, he has created an impressive mural over 12 meters by 6 meters on a building in front of the Bucha City Hall, titled “TRY-FLY,” a dove that shines with its own light as it takes flight, wrapped in the Ukrainian flag. The work is framed by iridescent light refractions in the background, reminiscent of the colors of the Italian flag.
“The work ‘Try-Fly’ depicts the dove as a bearer of peace, attempting to take flight for hope,” the artist explained. “It does so by spreading its wings despite being wrapped in a torn and violated Ukrainian flag. The bursts of light in the void coming from its chest radiate the composition, a myriad of iridescent effects framing such a special attempt to rise again and then fly. At the top right, a glow reflects familiar colors: it is the Italian solidarity radiating from above this attempt.”
The choice of Bucha as the location for this artistic project is not accidental. After more than 30 days of terror during the occupation, the city represents a symbolic place where solidarity can play a fundamental role in reconstruction and collective healing.
“Bucha has witnessed great horrors. Here, Italian Cooperation has already intervened by funding several projects to support the population immediately after the Russian occupation. We are proud to have contributed to transforming the walls of this city into canvases that tell stories of rebirth and hope. Thanks to the commitment of the Municipality and artists from all over the world, Bucha is slowly transforming into a wonderful open-air museum, a symbol of resistance to barbarism. The presence of Manu Invisible and his work represents a strong message of closeness to the local community. The dove, freeing itself from the bandage that had wrapped around its legs, sheds the wounds of the occupation and cloaks itself in the flag of freedom. In this act of emancipation, an inner light seems to radiate from it, exploding in a glow that gives it the strength to take flight. This scene represents, for us, a community that, despite the immeasurable losses suffered, manages to break free and reclaim its freedom, yesterday as today,” declared Pietro Pipi, Head of the AICS KIEV office.
The commitment of the street artist will continue on Saturday, May 25, with participation in the “Italian Culture Day in Bucha.” This event, organized by the local municipality, involves the entire Italian System in Ukraine and various civil society organizations and will include a live performance by Manu Invisible, accompanied by Ukrainian musicians, as well as numerous other activities to celebrate the friendship between the two peoples and Italy’s unconditional support for Bucha and Ukraine.
Photo by: Enrico Monni Fotografia
