In cooperation with the Saša Marcheta Foundation, the B-Murals platform from Barcelona and the Silosi Cultural Center Belgrade, on October 5, a street art project was unveiled that connects two European metropolises through exchange of artists, art residence programs and contributions to the community in fostering local values and authenticity of the environment in which the interventions are created. This time it was Belgrade host to the Franco-Spanish artist known by the stage name Bebop12 (Adrian Manso), who painted the first mural in the interior of the Silos. It is also marked with that he beginning of the work of the new culture factory “Art Mill” in the fourth Silos, with the aim of presenting them there
hundreds more new works. These, kind of monuments of Brutalist architecture, got a new one life thanks to the Gaia Movement, a non-profit organization that develops programs in Silos from the fields of art, education, recreational sports and environmental protection.
The muralist was selected through an open call on the B-Murals platform, and his artistic intervention is dedicated to public health. This specific choice of topic also brings an interesting story from Catalonia, dedicated to women known as trementinaires, who were aware of the therapeutic value of herbs and skilled in making homemade medicines from natural ingredients, developing special preparation methods that were passed down from generation to generation. This long and forgotten tradition connects us with the natural environment of the Pyrenees through the valley of La Vance and Tuixent, while the local story relies on the typical Catalan tradition of cultivating ceramics, which is often used in architecture. That is why the work on this mural aims to raise the community’s awareness of the importance of health and tradition, and it also receives special support from the Vizim Family Health Center, which this year celebrates 30 years of existence and active work. Bebop12, an artist with a rich career and unique style, known for his colorful and dynamic characters, is recognized for his ability to create a narrative around key social issues such as nature conservation and education, and to connect art with space and community in an authentic way. His mural in Belgrade is of particular importance because it fits perfectly into the mission of the Saša Marcheta Foundation and the Silosi Belgrade Cultural Center – developing
artistic dialogue and encouraging social change through specific micro-projects that foster cooperation and are available to a wide audience. The project is also supported by the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia for Southeast Europe, further highlighting the importance of artistic exchange between Belgrade and Barcelona.
We invite all lovers of art, and especially the culture that comes from street art, to visit Silos (Dunavski kaj 46) and see off this unique artistic intervention. You can find more information about future projects on the official websites of Silos, Vizim Health Center and the social networks of the Saša Marcheta Foundation.
