Italian artist 2501 just completed what is probably the tallest mural in Europe today, a 28 storey building façade in Kiev, Ukraine.
Painted for the Art United us project and titled ‘Tools for abstraction’ this new large-scale mural is also part of 2501’s Nomadic Experiment which consists of two murals that aim to explore how our reality and surroundings can shape a work of art.
The idea behind the mural came to 2501 after his meeting with Mikhail, who was at that moment operating his lift. Mikhail was born and raised in this particular neighbourhood and knew the city and the culture of the place as the palm of his hand.
According to 2501, he never works with preconceived sketches, but instead he adapts them by establishing a close dialogue with the architecture and social environment of the places he visits. This is also the case of ‘Tools for Abstraction’, a real story told by Mikhail despite the language barrier between them.
The mural incorporates in an abstract way the Ukraine Coat of Arms, the personal history of Mikhail and story of the local neighbourhood. A visual diagram sprung from Mikhail’s storytelling captured during the course of four days, with 12 hours shifts and only using only eight liters of black paint and two of gold. Today ‘Tools for abstraction’ stands as the tallest mural ever painted in Europe.
Mural for Art United us curated by Geo Leros, Iryna Kanishcheva, Waone Interesni Kazki, Ilya Sagaidak .
Images by the artist (except last image by Geo Leros)
Art United us Website | Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo
2501 Website | Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo
Author: Fran
Founder and editor of Urbanite. Street Art lover who after the finishing her MA thesis on the Mexican and Norwegian muralist movement in the 1920-50s, developed a fascination for street art and graffiti that eventually led to collaborations with different art blogs, including the creation of this one.
