Prolog

In the public space Street Art mostly is not perceived as an artistic form of expression. The reason: The observer often needs the setting of a classic exhibition in order to relate to art. However, pieces which are conceived for the street lose a main part of their effect and expression in a closed space.

On this basis an intensive discussion among international Street Art artists and Red Bull took place which manifested itself in an innovative project: "OUTSIDES - a Red Bull Street Art Project".

Background

"How does one manage to make Street Art – in its individual occurrence and at its point of origin - noticeable for the public?"
"OUTSIDES - a Red Bull Street Art Project" revolved around answering this central question. A project, which started in July 2005 and led to a Street Art exhibition by 22 international artists in public space.

Wuppertal

The question was to be discussed within a city’s urban area of tension. Following criteria had to be considered for the selection of a city:

- interesting urban development structure
- industrial urbanity
- located on the fringes of a metroplex
- exceptional cultural structures

With Wuppertal this city was found.

Villa Waldfrieden

Villa Waldfrieden in Wuppertal turned out to be the perfect accommodation for the meeting between the artists and the project managers. The owner, Kurt Dieter Herberts already was an art collector as well as a patron of the arts and used to work here with leading artists.

After 18 years of vacancy the Villa was rented in January 2006. The Villa, built in anthroposophic style, was refurbished and furnished according to the project group’s needs. For the duration of the project it served as the central place for creative and artistic exchange among the artists.

The Project

A team consisting of art experts and artists were engaged in the project for more than a year.

In March and April 2006, 30 artists from Japan, USA, France, South Africa, Italy, Denmark and Germany were invited to take part in two workshops. At the workshop the possibilities of a Street Art exhibition in public space were discussed.

22 artists subsequently developed the concepts for their pieces. From sculptures to objects up to Graffiti-removal: The workshops in the Villa as well as the city of Wuppertal itself provided the artists with the inspiration for extraordinary project ideas. Many interesting ideas that dealt with the city also emerged.

In August, the artists and art experts met up again for the final workshop in Villa Waldfrieden.

The Exhibition

From August 11-17, 2006 the artists worked day and night - hidden or also completely in public - on their sculptures, installations, pieces and projects. All the rooms in the Villa were occupied with artists planning, working and preparing. Cars as well as small vans left ’Base Waldfrieden’ around the clock.

In the process a unique exhibition developed with works of art at various places throughout the city. While some artists positioned their pieces centrally in the city centre, others worked apart in the dark, in a tunnel of a disused rail track. Of course the city’s central element, the Schwebebahn, was included in the exhibition.

As Wuppertal rose back to life on the morning of August 18, works of art were to be found all over the city. The city had turned into an exhibition space.

This was pointed out on flyers which were distributed by the artists all over Wuppertal and which showed how to navigate through the exhibition in public space.

The Documentation

Beside the artists themselves a crew of well known photographers documented the process: Martha Cooper, Matin Nink, Helge Tscharn, Jürgen Grosse, JR, Dirk Mathesius, Thomas Wiczak and Thomas Bratzke.

The Reactions

The press reactions provide an impression of OUTSIDES perception in Wuppertal and in the world-wide Street Art community.