{"id":1651,"date":"2026-08-25T17:27:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T15:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/punturs.ch\/?post_type=case_study&p=1651"},"modified":"2026-08-25T17:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T15:28:04","slug":"book-sleeping-in-the-mosaic","status":"publish","type":"case_study","link":"https:\/\/punturs.ch\/en\/case_study\/book-sleeping-in-the-mosaic\/","title":{"rendered":"Book “Sleeping in the Mosaic”"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the context of our work for PUNT.URS<\/strong>, the book \u201cSleeping in the Mosaic\u201d<\/a><\/strong> by Raffaela Zenoni is a central and inspiring example of how we can strategically and sustainably deploy artistic soft power<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Within the work for PUNT.URS<\/strong>, the book \u201cSleeping in the Mosaic\u201d<\/a><\/strong> by Raffaela Zenoni was a central and inspiring example of how artistic soft power<\/strong> could be used strategically and sustainably. This extraordinary Gesamtkunstwerk<\/strong> \u2013 a poetic art novel<\/strong> that closely interweaves literary narrative with large-format reproductions of her acrylic paintings (e.g. portraits of Marie and Aunt Selva from 2016, 130 \u00d7 195 cm) and hundreds of mosaic-like image details \u2013 was presented to the public in December 2024 at the Haus der Kunst Uri<\/strong> in Altdorf. The presentation included readings, conversations, and a ceremonial book launch that emphasised Zenoni\u2019s roots in Uri and reflected her journey from pedagogy through the diplomatic service to art.<\/p>\n

The special design of the book (approx. 113 pages, colour-illustrated, self-published 2024) made it a real statement: the open thread binding<\/strong> symbolised openness and insight \u2013 just as diplomatic work builds bridges and creates spaces for encounters. The narrative follows Marie, her Aunt Selva, and the mysterious, multi-faceted boy Amael<\/strong> (often described as \u201cAmber Amael\u201d) on a playful yet profound journey through dream and reality. They repeatedly enter a sunken city, explore the \u201cscript of gratitude,\u201d and process themes such as heritage, loss, healing, and family bonds \u2013 accompanied by strongly symbolic motifs such as lavender, honey, gold dust, mosaic stones, and ritual everyday elements (e.g. baking apple cake, magical notebooks that write themselves). The integration of text and images created a synaesthetic experience in which the paintings deepen the narrative and vice versa.<\/p>\n

With planned translations and international editions, the work is now being carried across borders:<\/p>\n