At the intersection of the Klein-Rijselstraat and the Hertog Jan I-straat in Leuven you can recently admire a new mural. The neighborhood chose a work by Spanish artist Victor Garcia Repo in collaboration with street art company Treepack.
The idea for the mural came from Sabine Drieskens and An Vermaelen, who have been living in the neighborhood for a year. They wanted to create a connecting mural between the old and new parts of the neighborhood. "I had the idea for several years, but it was put on hold because of the pandemic," Sabine says. "I'm so glad we as neighbors have picked up the thread."
The neighborhood chose a work by Spanish artist Victor Garcia Repo, thanks to support from the City of Leuven through "Stand up for Your Neighborhood. He is known for the everyday objects he incorporates into his works. He was given carte blanche by the residents to create a design on the theme of diversity. The artist then collected shoes and garments from local residents, which symbolize the diversity in the neighborhood, and used them as inspiration for his design.
Resident Björn Dierickx, who recently bought the house on the corner of Klein-Rijselstraat and Hertog Jan Istraat, made a wall available. "When I heard about this neighborhood project, I was immediately excited," says Björn. "Until recently, it was a blind facade of red bricks. Today it is a colorful bombardment that all the neighborhood can enjoy."
"It really is a project of the whole neighborhood," says initiator An. "Our neighborhood is constantly flourishing and developing with residents of all ages, backgrounds and interests. It's that harmonious mix that makes our neighborhood vibrant and special."
