The Foeliedwarsstraat already knows Ethos. If it isn’t for a cup of coffee, for sure it is something else that the neighbors offer him. The supermarket next door started this experiment with great hesitation and fear for the unknown, but now that the manager knows it is quite something appearing on the wall of his storage area, his face is slowly turning rainy clouds into a sunny blue sky! The persons who live in the building are happy to see the image of the building turning into something positive. Some help Ethos painting big surfaces or clearing the wall from falling parts. The interaction between the neighbors is also growing, as they gather at the foot of the wall to discuss the process and the image on a daily basis.

Hidden Treasures
People easily forget this little hidden street because they have no reason to be there, but now that Ethos is painting, curious audience causes traffic jams and many stop to take pictures. It is but one more proof that art in public space is greatly appreciated and should always continue. When you don’t feel like going to a gallery, or have no money for a museum, but you’re just walking somewhere without a clear destination, it is always a great surprise to see something unexpected appearing in huge scale in the streets. And if you happen to know these surprises could be a tour along other buildings in town.

Ethos almost finished, but maybe some unexpected detail will still appear this weekend…It’s worth it passing by while Ethos is still working.

The experiment is a cooperation between the Affordable Art Fair which is taking place between the 26th and the 30th of October, the Westergasfabriek and R.U.A. It was quite a hassle to find out which paint would hold for a nice period in rain and with people walking over it. It had to be biodegradable and easy to remove. We found it! Eco-Logic paint with a basis of linseed oil.

Interactive Live Painting

While Gais and Dalata started with the first blocks of colors, trespassers already would enthusiastically ask if they could participate. That was exactly what we wanted to provoke. In Dutch we would say: “Doe is gek and grab roller…!” let yourself go and paint something. In the end it is not everyday that you can paint the floor in public space.

Dalata painting or...

The painting turned out to be a good “baby-sitting” momentum for parents who accidentally stumbled upon the work while passing by and kids insisting to participate. The parents ended up on the terrace of West Pacific for a relaxing moment in the afternoon sun. What else could you wish for?

Kids interactive

R.U.A. Interactive