City of Salzburg – Gaswerkgasse underpass as a new flagship for street art
Over the coming weekend, three graffiti artists will prove that art can not only be found in museums. That’s when they spray their works on both sides of the underpass in Gaswerkgasse (between the LKH and the Mülln S-Bahn station). Out of a total of eleven submissions, the sketches by Werner Bauer, Sigfrid Sindinger and Lucia Leben received the best ratings in the “Street Art Contest” advertised by the city. Today they were presented by City Councilor Anja Hagenauer as part of a media event.
A jury of several chose the winners
A jury made up of several people from the art and youth scene – including the Museum der Moderne and hidden object artist Clemens Birsak – viewed the submissions in a session last week. The points were awarded according to a catalog of criteria. The default was the overarching theme “Non-Violent City”. As a thank you and prize, the three artists will receive a 750 euro voucher for a graffiti store.
Appreciation for the “grey corner” of Salzburg
“The motto ‘art=people’ and the theme ‘non-violent city’ were interpreted in different ways. I’m really excited about the creative and expressive designs that have been presented to us here,” said Anja Hagenauer, the city councilor responsible for the department.
“The contest is the first that we have organized in this form and the entries were all top-class. The winning projects give a gray corner of Salzburg an immense upgrade and graffiti street art receives the attention it deserves,” says youth officer and project coordinator Herbert Wührer.
The Museum der Moderne is also enthusiastic about the project
“It was a great opportunity to work with other creative minds to choose street art pieces that will set an example for a non-violent city. Likewise, there is the possibility of having an inconspicuous underpass designed by artists. Art can not only be found in the museum, but throughout the city of Salzburg,” says Mirabelle Spreckelsen, from the Museum der Moderne Salzburg, about her participation in the project.
Spraying will take place from June 24th to 26th
It takes a while before the 30 square meters on either side of the underpass are sprayed with the works of art: for a whole three days, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the artists are at work with cans and stencils. The bike path is closed during this time. Material, travel and accommodation costs for the winners will be covered by the city of Salzburg.
Underpass gets lighting
In order to stage the works of art perfectly, lamps are installed by the public lighting, which completely illuminate the walls. This also improves road safety by softening the transition into the dark underpass through the light.