In September 2024, Yap Studio invited me to take part in the Bülow Street Festival, an annual event held along Bülowstraße in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district. The theme was "Love Letter to the City," inspired by the title of a new exhibition at Urban Nation, a museum of contemporary art. I chose an abandoned basement entrance at Bülowstraße 12/13, intrigued by the space’s potential and the chance to play with perspective.
Photo by Nika Kramer
I decided to mix all the technic I have mastered in the last couple of years, tape art and spray. I had mistake on applying the tape art tho, but, this is the process of learning. I had 4 days to complete the whole walls, pretty intense.
Photo by Nika Kramer
The tentacles, in their exploration of the bustling city, seek new purposes.
We mask our anxiety, sadness, confusion, and disappointment from the community. These hidden feelings are represented by the tentacles, wandering inside the soul. They could shine and glow as they are meant to, but they remain hidden due to societal pressures. They have dreams and purposes in this city. People seek safe spaces to avoid hurt, moving secretly to protect themselves from the falseness of society—a society that often feigns everything to get what it wants. Only few of them among millions of people can give them the safe space, and it takes time.
The floral adornments on the façade symbolize the city's movement and positive energy, embodying the community's outward softness and kindness, projecting an image of beauty and vibrancy. We also possess these qualities.
However, as social beings, within our minds and bodies, we often experience contrasting emotions compared to what we give to and receive from society.
The geometric patterns along the wall signify life's perpetual motion and energy, serving as the foundation of individual experiences. These patterns are inspired by my tribe, symbolizing the encouragement to persist and never give up until victory is achieved. In this design, the geometric patterns also represent the resilience and the shield of ourselves we develop through life's many challenges.
Photo by Nika Kramer
Photo by Nika Kramer
Photo by Nika Kramer