Page |1

PROJECT:

STREET ART
IN AUGSBURG
Student: Nicoleta Faina
Erasmus Exchange
from London University of Arts LCC

University: Hochschule Augsburg

Programme: Communication Design, 4th Semester
Subject: Contemporary Art & Design
Professor: Angela Maria Opel

Summer Semester 2017

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar
Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |2

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Essay: Concept for one piece of street art ........................................ 3

Introduction to Street Art . 3
Street Art Methods & Materials .. 4
General & Personal Vision on Street Art 4
First Ideas for My Concept .. 5
The Location .. 5
Final Concept . 8

* Make a concept for one piece of street art

- While locating Augsburg Street Art look out for a building, wall, environment etc. where you
would say a good piece of street art is still missing.
- Develop a concept for such a new piece of street art with topic, motif, materials and style
chosen by yourself ( but dont actually paint or spray it there!!)
Describe: idea & intention, topic/motif, material, dimensions, style, preferred
location, etc. (1500-2000 words)

2. Documentation of street art in Augsburg ...................................... 10

Image graffiti - FANATIC GRANNY by Marc Sund .... 10
Text graffiti - KBES + ZWIST .............................................................. 11
Sculpture + Mosaic ULRICHSTEIN ..................................................... 12

* Documentation of street art in Augsburg:

choose three of your findings and document them (photo, location, short
description/ca. 100-150 words x each)

3. Suggestion for a form to communicate Augsburg Street Art .......... 12

* Suggest for a form to communicate Augsburg Street Art in its entirety (250-300 words)

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |3

Essay:
MY CONCEPT FOR ONE PIECE OF STREET ART

Street Art is a form of artwork that is displayed in publicly viewed surfaces. In this essay I will
research, establish and analyse the origins and evolution of Urban Art. I will base my further
investigation on the city of Augsburg, Germany. The focus will be driven towards a concept created
by myself and its detailed description. In order to achieve this, I will use a wide variety of resources,
such interviews, on-line articles and documentaries. At the same time, I will have discussions with
artists that activate in this area. Working with text and images, I will reflect critically and present the
information using headings for a better structure and ease of reading. The beginning of my writing
will constitute a detailed definition and origin of Street Art. After this I will enumerate some of the
main materials used for it and construct a general vision on urban art. Reflecting on the positives and
negatives of this type of art, I will evaluate my personal view and experiences related to it. Then, I
will explain the main lines of the concept I have created and I will give some indications on where I
could position it within Augsburg. I will describe and research the chosen location and will give
details on how my concept can be contributing to that place. I will provide a final outline of my
concept and a reference list at the end of the essay.

INTRODUCTION TO STREET ART

Our world is built up on symbolism.

Street Art, with nearly 20,000 years of cultural evolution behind it, represents a diverse and
constantly evolving form of art. The importance of self-expression and communication through visual
means can be traced back to the simple paintings and signs found in the caves from all over the
world.
Slogans of protest and social or political commentary graffitied onto public walls are the precursor.
Some of the earliest expressions of street art were certainly the graffiti which started showing up on
the sides of train cars and walls, made by the gangs. The significant impact of this art was picked up
and evolved by young people, that in response to their socio-political environment, started creating a
movement, taking the battle for meaning into their own hands.
Essentially an illegal activity, a process of creation through destruction began its evolution into
numerous forms of artistic expression.
From the scribbles made in hurry it took a complex form of a true artistic expression.
There is no common aesthetic, more an attitude: irreverence, democracy and freedom. The
survival of this art was secured by its resilience and adaptability to our changing society. It was also
a protest against the art that is locked inside the museums, many street artists claim that we do not

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |4

live in a museum so art should be in public places with no tickets, accessible to everyone.
Street Art became a ground for experimenting with different kinds of methodology, but never giving
up its rebellious position in front of the repetitive patterns and structures of popular culture and
mass media reality.

STREET ART METHODS & MATERIALS

Through the multiple ways a street artist can deliver a message or just express himself and thus
communicate to all types of audience - the Street Art can be recognized as one of the core
components of the contemporary art.

For a long period, urban art was characterised by numerous writings of artists name. It was
inevitable that script would be replaced by images. In the world of graffiti and street-art those
images stand out from their surroundings with exceptional contrast. As the general style of writing is
nearly completely illegible to the untrained eye, the appearance of illustrated graffiti is responsible
for a boost in the popularity of street art.
The street art can take the form of Graffiti, Stencils, Prints, Murals, Paintings, Projects of artistic
collaboration, Street installations, Performative and Video art, etc.
There is existing something that is conventionally named Independent public art. It comes to
describe a type of street art which can also include work in remote places that may not be visited by
an audience, and may also be short-lived, such as coloured smoke in a forest or under-water
installations.

GENERAL & PERSONAL VISION ON STREET ART

Confronting the illegality of street art - authorities all around the world provide artists with special
zones and walls where they can express themselves without breaking the law. The result is most of
the times astonishing as they allow themselves to have the necessary time for creation. This also
creates the possibility to gather together the enthusiasts to draw together in the same time.
In may 2017 I have witnessed such an event. More than 20 sprayers were invited to create
simultaneously their artwork on the walls of Hall of Fame in Goggingen, Augsburg, Germany. This
type of gatherings also offers viewers to see the process of creation which I think is also valuable,
since the illegal graffities should not have any witnesses. I enjoyed taking photos and noticing how
some of the artists covered their faces, it gave an Illegal and Rebellious flavour to the event, to what I
was doing and to my final outcomes. (Faina N., 2017)

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |5

FIRST IDEAS for MY CONCEPT

First idea was to do an image that will represent me. The base of this image would be my face as a
identity signature, similar to the text graffiti. The concept was to illustrate me under water, a
symbolic meaning that I am from a different place or instance from the passers-by. The contrast
between earth dry land and water is very important for the general message and atmosphere.

The photo on the left fits the theme as

I wanted to depict my hair floating
softly in the calm water I am in.

The eyes must create the impact of a

chant on viewers and make them stop.

I also had thought about playing with

the sun rays from the top of image and
a hint of warm light from underwater,
to contrast with the cold tones of the
general image.
The interesting part of it is that I the
source of the light is not depicted but it
will remind of a bon fire. Here again, is
a beautiful contrast between the
elements of nature water and fire.

One of my friends that is a street artist for a long time suggested that a realistic illustration of face
underwater is one of the hardest subjects to do.

THE LOCATION

On my walk home from a festival, I noticed an interesting structure of a building in Augsburg.

It is situated in a quiet and calm ambience inside the city, remote from the overpopulated areas.
Next to it can be found the old waterways used as defence system in the medieval times.

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |6

The relaxing atmosphere is slashed with the view of the front part of the building that looks very odd
and unsightly.

I decided to make all the research and analysis myself and not ask the personal inside the building for
explanations and other information about the site, as this will be a simple viewers opinion,
completely independent from an insiders perspective.

The sign on the building seems out of place and the hotel could have a
better representation of its name. I would say the only positive part about
it is that it looks different from other abundant similarities in
typographical representations of the name for other hotels.
I noticed that R and E are the only capital letters and it made me
wonder what it could mean? The name has different sized letters, g and
l the beginning and the final letter of the name suggest a stylised
hand-writing. There are two small wooden bird houses on the top of the
letters n and h. The main three colours used for this part are red, blue
and white, 3 letters for each colour. The only hint of red or blue on the building are the scribbles that
look rather like a vandalism to the general view of the building. The white letter a, opposed to the
other two white letters d and t, is almost invisible on a white background because of lacking that
blue outer line. I think that the letters also light up at night and I suppose that the locals are already
comfortable and familiar to this sign. Possibly that is why it wasnt changed to fit the other elements
of the building.

Next to the inscription is what I will call the main part of the building in this essay. It is the part of the
house that has white clouds drawn on it next to the ground and some windows have the same
colour around them. It has 3 vertical x 7 horizontal windows and the last left column is visually
separated by a water conduct.

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |7

On the lower part of the building, where most of the white paint can be located are sprayed up
scribbles. I could notice that the inscriptions are most of the time covered by the cars or other
vehicles parked in front of the building. The smallest, turquoise one on the right says: to Afganistan
and everywhere. Next to it, the red and blue one states STOP DEPORTATiON. On the left is
written: #STANDUPFOR ALEPO. One of my friends told me that it is an asylum for refugees that is
also a hotel.

On the left of the building, facing it from the front the sign is
lost from the sight and the same part of the building discovers
a column of 6 windows. Interesting is that these ones are
constructed from a set of two united windows and they differ
visually from the other ones on the main part. Another
difference is the overall colour, it looks colder than the one
used for the main part. I like the fact that there is a tree next
to it, it somehow gives a bit of life and nature to the disjointed
view of the house.

The beautiful part of this building is the

inner part, the one that comes after
confronting the front side. The painting on the wall caught my vision. It is a sectioned pattern-layout
that suggests nature through the leaves, red berries and birds, all combined with the different
vibrant colours and textures. I liked the fact that the paint and the patterns covered the window
ledges. The signature under the painting stated CLUB DESOLA 2016.

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |8

After I searched for this name, I found only that they participated at ibug Street Art festival in the
summer of the last year. (ilovegraffiti.de, 2016)

I also noticed the small sticker/print on the back part of the car that was there. I think it is their logo
and I could say that it looks modern. This side of the building has a striking contrast with the other
parts that are extremely outdated.

After doing my research about this building I found out that Grandhotel Cosmopolis is an
unpretentious, bright yellow sixties-year building, that is a former nursing home. There is a red
carpet at the entrance and you are greeted by concierges in red-gold suits. Inside, there is a bar and a
piano.

The bureaucrats from the Swabian government district call the place GU XV. - The 15th community
accommodation in Augsburg, an asylum seeker's home of the Free State of Bavaria, the federal state
with the most restrictive asylum policy.

The Refugees in Germany have been protesting inhumane treatment with a march across the
Republic. They sew their lips, thus starving themselves. In Augsburg citizens have built a hotel, with
rose garden in the courtyard and cathedral view from the balcony. In the Grandhotel, there are 27
refugee rooms and 18 rooms for ordinary hotel guests, eleven artists' studios, a seminar room, a
caf, a restaurant and, if the lay construction workers are finished, a gallery. (zeit.de, 2014)

FINAL CONCEPT

What I remember vividly about the hotel are the joyful voices of the children on the top floor that
were talking and playing with the passers-by. It makes me think of the importance of a beautiful
childhood and freedom for everyone, especially for refuges. This is the reason why I decide to focus
my concept on this theme.

As I was warned that the representation of underwater faces is a tricky subject and takes a lot of
time to make it look real and as I will opt for combining the beautiful part of the building with the
disjointed one I decided to paint my concept in a stylistic way. Everything would mostly be stylized
in a similar way as the painting that is already on one side of the hotel.

The main concept is devoted for the main part of the building, the one with 3x7 windows. Taking in
count the column of windows on the left that is visually separated from the others, I will situate the
face in the water image in between the first and second row of windows and in the middle of those 6

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 Page |9

windows from the right. Everything else would be an imitation of wall from small stones symbolising
the different people and that when they stand together they can guard and be as strong as wall.
Suggesting freedom, the face in the water would be a break in this wall. The rest of the wall
would be implementing symbols of childrens street games as well as locals voice. To do so, I will ask
everyone who visits this hotel often, the children and the ones who live there to draw something
that they would like to see on the wall. All the drawings will then be collected by me, stylised and
combined within the drawings on the building. This way their important voices would be visualised
and it offers them a way of interacting with other people, that just pass by, to become aware of
refugees situation and to reflect on it. The interaction between people that live in this hotel and the
art outside it, in my opinion is very important as it will deliver a far more impressive and powerful
message.

As opposed to the vibrant colours on the other side of the building, I will use slightly dimmed ones,
because the use of lots of strong and different colours will make the building look heavy and
uncomfortable.

I would also like to meantion that I feel connected to this building not only because I am travelling
and studying in different countries, but also that the existing painting has the red berries that look
strikingly similar to the Hawthorn tree which is my spiritual tree according to the Celtic Calendar.

REFERENCES:

Faina N. (2017) Graffiti at Hall of Fame [online] Nicoleta Faina Travel / The White Rabbit. Available
at: https://nicoletafainatravel.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/graffiti-at-hall-of-fame/ [Accessed 10 July
2017]

Ilovegraffiti.de (2016) Street Atelier Arte Creative Video Walk IBUG 2016 [online] ilovegraffiti.
Available at: http://ilovegraffiti.de/blog/2016/10/27/street-atelier-arte-creative-video-walk-ibug-
2016/ [Accessed 10 July 2017]

Zeit.de (2014) Asyl de luxe [online] Zeit. Available at: http://www.zeit.de/2014/11/grandhotel-

augsburg-fluechtlinge-asyl [Accessed 10 July 2017]

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 P a g e | 10

During the legal graffiti event Mai-JaMAI JAM in Augsburg, Marc Sund created this masterpiece. I
witnessed the development process of the Fanatic Granny on the Wall of Hall of Fame.
As I was lucky enough to speak to the artist, I understood how and what is represented in this image.
The outstanding choice of colours works remarkably good in combination with the an image filled
with archetypes and symbolical representations of everyday things. It plays the role of a trigger, a
sparkle that can start a fire in our minds to make us question our everyday beliefs, values and our
lives.
The image represents an elder female person, one that is less expected to be fanatic. In order to be
fanatic one has to stop thinking rationally, thus she takes out of her head the brain and puts inside
bombs simbolising the fanatical ideas that are powerful, destructive and dangerous.

More about the event and his work:

https://nicoletafainatravel.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/graffiti-at-hall-of-fame/

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 P a g e | 11

Opposed to imagery graffiti I was delighted to view the process of creation of a text one.
Frederik Platten, under the artist name Kbes created his signature during the legal graffiti event
Mai-JaMAI JAM in Augsburg on a walll in Hall of Fame.

After talking to him I understood that he enjoys being in the community of graffiti artists as he can
meet people from different backgrounds united with the same passion. He travelled a lot and left his
signature across 5 continents and I find this amazing as it is an artistic way to attest: I was here!.

Frederik explained that before the event they talked and decided on the colors coldand warm: blue
and yellow/orange. He devided the wall with his friend: Samuel Feustel.

Frederiks work can be seen on the top of the wall. Besides illustrating his name Kbes in an artistic
way he implemented rays and other dynamical elements that makes the work much more
impressive.

Samuels work is situated on the bottom of the wall and it states his artist name Zwist. It has sharper
corners and sparkles around the outline of the text.
It is interesting that both of them have arrows implemented in their work.

More photos from the event:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/113837004@N02/albums/72157678453717694/page2

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 P a g e | 12

This sculpture is located near the Student

Dormitory in Augsburg where I live now.

It is called Ulrichstein and commemorates

The battle of Lechfeld on 10 August 955. Under
the heroic leadership of Bishop Ulrich (923-
973), the city was successfully defended.
It is one of the most important events of the
history of Central Europe.

Its location was changed the past years and

now can be found next to Lech river at
Lechhauser Ulrichsbrcke.

It feels and looks like a massive monolit made

out of stone. The Ulrichstein has been
sandblasted and treated with oil in order to
further improve the depth effect of the mosaic.

The battle scenes are illustrated on the

sculpture.

The details that can be depicted from the

mosaic on this stone are very impressive.

Detailed photos of Ulrichstein:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/113837004@N02/albums/72157678453717694/page3

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.
 P a g e | 13

Suggestion for a form to communicate Augsburg Street Art

Keeping in mind the amazing avantages of the mobile phone game Pokemon, where you could
discover more about a piece of street art or find out more information about a sightseeing place in
the moment you were passing next to it, I think that something similar delivering data about local
street art would be a great idea.

It could be a mobile application that would be working as a real GPS map with points where the
street art can be found. It would specify the name of the artist, time, method and some other
interesting facts about the artwork only while you pass next to it. This would also provide a felling of
getting lost but also having a final point to see within the city, that is misterious as well, because the
information being shown only when you get to it. This would allow people to find themselves within
a contemporary map with free entrance, no surveilance, open all the time massive gallery, that
covers all the city. The app could also provide pop-ups when a new piece of street art is spotted or
created; it could notify the users of a live or upcoming urban art event.

Another way to entertain the visitors and the locals would be to provide a web-page that would be
easily accesed and constantly updated with new works of art across the city. Maybe a web-gallery
might work very good in this situation, as people would be able to choose what they would like to
see in reality and plan their way to it.

SS 2017 ERASMUS Seminar project & seminar paper

Research Project: Street Art in Augsburg

Student: Nicoleta Faina

Exchange from London University of Arts LCC

University: Hochschule Augsburg, Germany

Programme: Communication Design, 4th Semester
Subject: Contemporary Art & Design
Professor: Angela Maria Opel

Nicoleta Faina for Contemporary Art & Design Seminar

Augsburg, Germany, 2017.