BIG WAALLS by Xupet and Chanoir
Barcelona
09.04.2014
Big Waalls is Rebobinart’s platform that promotes large-format muralism in Barcelona, connecting renowned urban artists with spaces across the city. This initiative stems from the desire to reclaim Barcelona’s walls for art, creating works that engage with the neighbourhood and strengthen the urban cultural fabric.
Artists Chanoir and Xupet Negre have carried out an intervention on a large-format wall in the Les Corts district of Barcelona.
Xupet Negre began painting in 1987 in Barcelona, before going on to travel Spain and the whole world to create his works. His style, which he defines as Logo-art, consists of a logo that is always the same — or very similar — creating a fully recognisable icon.
Chanoir was born in Bogotá in 1976, but has lived many years in Paris. He is characterised by a style in which cats predominate — cats with diverse expressions living in a universe of colours. His art has filled streets around the world, from the United States to China, via Bogotá and the United Kingdom.
Together, both artists have created a large-format mural full of bright colours and curious characters, creating an immersive space for the public.
In the video, a report on Big Waalls in Poblenou: 200 litres of paint, 700 spray cans and a 13-metre crane. Rebobinart defends the artist's absolute freedom —«there is no suggestion as to what the work should be»— and the neighbours applauded them from the street and lent them ladders and storage.
Video transcript (translated from Catalan)2 min 12 s
The report200 litres of paint, 700 spray cans and a 13-metre crane: that is what the artists decorating this wall in Poblenou have needed so far. This is the Big Waalls project, a pilot promoted by the art platform Rebobinart, which champions quality artistic interventions in large-format spaces.
RebobinartWhat you find here is a real work, by an artist, without limitations and without it being a job. They come here and it is their work: there is no suggestion as to what it should be. It is the artist's freedom to make a work in the middle of the city.
The reportAt one end of the wall a piece by the artist Penao catches the eye, playing with perspective. In the central space a large mural stands out, a joint work by Xupet and Chanoir.
The artistsWhat we do is bring the two logos together, with modifications and variations, plus messages to our friends and words like «Barcelona».
The reportThe change this plot has undergone in recent weeks has delighted the neighbours, who have seen their surroundings improve.
The artistsThe neighbours applauded us: we were painting and we could hear clapping and people calling out. Everyone lent us ladders, let us store the materials in their stockrooms; everyone did their bit, because for the neighbourhood this is added value.
Local residentsIt has drawn attention because a painted wall is much nicer to look at than a bare one, and besides it is done in good taste. The truth is it gave a bad impression, because it looked like a ruin; now they almost have a splendid view there.
The reportThe works, which will be finished in the coming weeks, will remain on show for a whole year.
Video by Barcelona.cat. Video transcript, edited for reading: repetitions and verbal fillers have been removed, the text has been punctuated and speakers are identified.
