STREET CARPET
small vandalism X Nafir
Double Exhibition
On October 18, we will literally divide the gallery into two halves that are inseparable at the same time. In the double exhibition Street Carpet, two different artistic positions are juxtaposed in one exhibition and merged with each other at the same time: the hyper-realistic wall miniatures by the Hamburg artist duo Marcus & Liam Tanzen meet the stencil works on Persian tapestries by the Iranian artist Nafir.
Who still remembers? Sliding around on your knees on a street carpet, moving small vehicles and people and imagining your own city. A city where anything is possible.
This is exactly what small vandalism is all about: fictional, urban worlds. The Hamburg-based artist duo Marcus & Liam Tanzen create hyper-realistic wall miniatures, worked out down to the last detail, which look deceptively real. Father Marcus builds the facades, his son Liam covers them with graffiti. Inspired by the big city, the works capture its urban charm and fascination. All of the creations originate from the fiction of the two artists, who thus build a whole world of their own.
This time, the wall miniatures by small vandalism are juxtaposed with works by Nafir. For the Iranian artist, childhood memories of carpets have a completely different meaning. Born the son of a carpet dealer in Tehran, the cultural heritage and traditional Iranian art of his country has had a strong influence on Nafir’s artistic development. With his stencil art on traditional Persian carpets, Nafir sets an example against censorship and for freedom, equality and democracy worldwide. His works have been used in numerous protests such as the “Woman Life Freedom” movement around the world. Nafir has been active as a street artist in public spaces since 2008 and his art can now be found all over the world.
Common to both artistic positions is the examination of an underground. With structures that are covered in graffiti. The contrast between repetitive, often geometric forms and organic, free motifs.
The artists also share a love of craftsmanship, precision and small details. Their approaches intertwine in a joint work: Nafir’s carpet forms the basis and is covered by urban façade elements that take up the structures and patterns of the fabric. Both the carpet and the wall miniature are covered with graffiti. Stencil and Pieces bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and hip-hop culture.
STREET CARPET
small vandalism X Nafir
18.10.2024 – 01.11.2024
Grand Opening
Fr. 18. Oktober 2024, 19 – 22:30 Uhr
📍 Urbanshit Gallery
Opening Times
Mi 15 – 18 Uhr / Do 15 – 18 Uhr / Sa 11 – 15 Uhr and on request