New works of art on the boarding fences of construction sites
One of the most beautiful and most modern metros in Europe is under construction in Budapest. This metro aspires to become the 21st century symbol of this city. We are set to encourage culture, modern art and out of the ordinary initiatives as early as in the phase of implementation of the metro.
Works of modern art including the best works of a recent global graffiti contest have been exhibited on the boarding planks of the construction site of the metro station at Rákóczi Square since last year. Young artists painted a metro train on the boarding planks at Kálvin Square advertising a cultural event in the district; works of art similar to the giant “poster” at Gellért Square are planned on Fővám Square, Kálvin Square and Baross Square. We also plan to legalize graffiti on the boarding planks of construction sites at Etele Square and Népszínház Street, and organize this autumn a genuine underground theatre
performance and concert.
DBR Metro Project Directorate
About THÉBA Art Academy
THÉBA Art Academy also joined the initiative of embellishing the environs of the metro project. This option offered a chance for the Academy to fulfill its community objectives: the Academy is set to demonstrate that even the mundane problems of community transport can be solved by the use of tools of public art. A painting on the boarding fence in the street puzzles the spectator by asking him: do you really want to make your environment better? Do you accept this initiative? Do you want to be involved? The Academy welcomes your feedback at http://theba.info.
The first in the series is this painting of 10m x 1.80m size designed for the boarding plank at Gellért Square. Hopefully others will soon follow suit at other locations, such as Fővám Square and Kálvin Square. Different paintings will be designed for each location. Preparations and
the approval of designs are underway.
Technical details
The artists used special outdoor painting on tarpaulin (Unico tarpaulin paint distributed by Sarolta Bellon Ltd). It is assumed that this paint has never been used for artistic purposes so far. Since the painting is made on tarpaulin rather than directly on the boarding fence, the painting is portable.
Artistic approach
The exceptional option to create contact with spectators on the streets of the city, without the intimacy of indoor spaces is a grand challenge indeed and the Academy is set to meet it. Works of classic art are seldom exhibited on the streets. This is a novel and uncommon medium offering the chance to create contact with the broadest community. The effect is comparable to that of a giant billboard yet the message is diametrically opposite. Rather than motivating consumption, works of public art help build the community by expressing commonly shared values and recognized symbols, and demonstrate the process of development shared by all contemporary residents of Budapest. This work of art appears on the bare surface of a boarding fence.
The first painting of THÉBA on boarding fence created by art directors Gábor Pataki and Krisztina Csí-Komor, painters Krisztina Csí-Komor, Krisztina Mácsai, Boglárka Márton, Gábor Pataki, Szilvia Pikó and Orsolya Szűcs and project manager Terézia Horváth will be opened for public viewing on August 20th.