There is no other way to put it. Argentinian artist and architect Elian Chali is a prolific one creating during the past months a series of monumental murals in different parts of the world; Spain, Brazil and Argentina.
Known for his abstract and anamorphic compositions through which he reflects and modifies the perception of architectural spaces he intervenes, Elian’s work is characterised by the use of subtle gestures and strong and contrasting colour choices that give shape to vibrant and elegant murals.
One of his last murals is ASFIXIA, painted on the facade of the Nau Bostik Cultural Center in Barcelona, Spain in collaboration with youngsters from the area where he had the opportunity to hold a small exhibition.
The second mural painted by Elian was in his hometown Córdoba in Argentina and has been titled “Maquillaje eléctrico para momias” (Electrical makeup for mummies). Despite the awkward title of the piece, the mural stands as a beautiful abstract composition that fully embraces the exterior walls of the 220 Culture Contemporary Art Center. With a total of 2400 square meters, this is Elian’s largest mural to date.
The third mural and last mural was created in Fortaleza, Brazil as part of last year’s Concreto Festival and a public art exhibition curated by Narcelio Grud. For the occasion, Elian painted an anamorphic composition over a black background (the entire surface of the facade) as a metaphor of today’s Brazilian political in the hands of President Jair Bolsonaro, a divisive far-right firebrand and self-styled political outsider, has been sworn in as the 38th president of Latin America’s largest democracy. Yes, sad stuff.
BARCELONA – SPAIN
“ASFIXIA” Barcelona, Spain. Nau Bostik, coordinated by Difusor
CÓRDOBA – ARGENTINA
“Maquillaje eléctrico para momias” Córdoba, Argentina. Plaza de la Musica / 220 CC
FORTALEZA – BRAZIL
Fortaleza, Brazil. Concreto Festival. Curated by Narcelio Grud
About the Artist
Elian Chali’s work is characterised by the close dialogue with the environment in which he finds himself. Architecture, climate issues and socio-political development are some of the factors that influence the artist’s composition through basic geometry and abstraction. The use of complimentary colors underlines our basic nature of things while geometrical shapes and forms translate to the our urban lifestyle. The additional mixed media content shows the tension within this world of constant conflict between nature and technology. The main theme of his work is the city. Through photography and painting, Elian seeks to open a discussion which spans from the current social problems, to the poetry of the habitat in which we live in. Through numerous travels around the world, Elian is constantly exposed to both the beauty and ugliness which surrounds us in equal measure in every day life and invites the viewer to process these issues with him through his paintings.
More about Elian on his Website | Facebook | Instagram
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.
