Painting it up before they tear it down
Wouldn’t it be ironic if a building that spent most of its life producing paint, lacquer, and color coatings were to one day be empty yet covered in paint and color? For the former paint and lacquer factory building K30 in Stuttgart Germany, this is exactly what has happened. Also known as Kruppstaße number 30 in Feuerbach, the building that is now owned by Wöhr + Bauer GmbH is empty for a short time before redevelopment and has recently become a temporary street art and graffiti gallery of global proportions.
Empty for a short time before redevelopment
In 4 weeks, over 100 pieces, murals, street artworks, installations, and various installations and events will call K30 home as part of the OFFSPACE project conceived in collaboration with Studio Vierkant. Over 65 artists of various orientations including graffiti style writers have all come together to give the K30 building a last change of makeup before it transforms into a completely new space.
The OFFSPACE exhibition is seen as a win/win by all
Montana GOLD and BLACK cans of every shade and color were shaken well and put into action as countless square meters of wall space were converted from plain to amazing. Also supported by the city of Stuttgart, the OFFSPACE exhibition is seen as a win/win by all shareholders involved. The artists from the local Stuttgart region are given space to develop contemporary art with an arena to be recognized in that expands way beyond the city of Stuttgart. The city of Stuttgart supports these artists who not only add value to the city but also help them develop to be the future artists that will shape and color the city’s future. And the new owner of the building receives public goodwill while branding themselves as a cultural supporter. All just for allowing artists to create in a space that will be knocked down anyway.
A secret space that has countless surfaces, rooms, and challenges for artists
And if the politics are of no interest to you, the fact that it was supported by Montana Cans means the artwork most definitely will be. Large-scale, small-scale, graffiti, realism, space-specific artwork, music, and everything in between. All are offered in a secret space that has countless surfaces, rooms, and challenges for artists to negotiate and grow in.
Images by Thommy West