More than 200,000 visitors a day. Quite a number for just one mural, don't you think?
Together with Russ, an artist from the south of France, we travelled to Eindhoven to work on two very atypical walls. Two surfaces of 75 metres in length, on one of the busiest intersections in the city. In total, we could hear 16 lanes of traffic passing by while working on this heavy concrete construction. The 45-degree slippery slope was also a challenge, but after a few days you eventually become best friends.
Phases is a design from the hands of Russ, an illustrator, painter and, in the distant past, a product designer. He created this piece to show us how life evolves.
This work of art was specially created to fit the specific characteristics of the wall and its surroundings. Due to the high traffic flow, it has been made legible for pedestrians, cyclists and even people in vehicles. The flowing shapes and the idea of circulation make it easier to understand in this rather small space.
If you were to put the walls side by side, you would see an opposite symmetry. The natural elements such as leaves and vines show a constant growth movement, with some in a young and growing phase, while others are nearing their end. This movement is enhanced by the creation of depth through line work and various oval-shaped objects, and of course the use of light versus dark colours in the palette.
This work of art shows matter and reality in a variety of representations: There is a scientific approach (elements such as particles, atoms, black holes...) that flows over into a more figurative way of visualisations (leaves, crawlers, hairy entanglements, stars...). In short, you are immersed in a journey from a microscopic world to the infinitely large.
"Phases" is part of a larger project called "Tunnel Vision", which involves transforming viaducts, tunnels and similar structures. It aims to create a safer and more pleasant experience for cyclists and pedestrians who pass through these usually dark and uncomfortable places. In addition, the artwork discourages vandalism such as graffiti tagging.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Two murals, each 75 m long and about 2 m high
- Total area: 300 m2
- Material: poured concrete
- Days painted: 13
- 60 aerosols
- 85 litres or acrylic paint
- 350 kilometres travelled by bicycle
- 1 200 000 passing vehicles per day
- Currant buns eaten: +/- 60 per person.
