A mural project initiated by the Zonenkinder.
Please introduce yourselves briefly. Who are the Zonenkinder and what makes you unique?
We are CAROLÏN LØVE and PHILIPP, an artist duo acting as a hybrid: two systems in a constant process of change and transformation, intertwining to form a whole. 2-in-1: Two artists – one vision & œuvre. The Zonenkinder stand for creative collaboration in multiple forms and across various locations.
Our works always emerge in dialogue and in the tension between planning and spontaneous creativity. Through ongoing experimentation, we merge our distinct styles and approaches.
Our shared creations – whether in the forest, studio, or on the street – are born from a fascination for the unconventional and through connecting and building networks, such as the Treeproject, a bridge between urban art and environmental art.
Our journey began with graffiti. Starting with lettering and somewhat illegal actions, our collaborative style developed and transformed until we began working exclusively with figurative imagery, often telling stories along the way – we humorously dubbed it “poetic graffiti.” This later expanded to include site-specific, installative works.
IN-BETWEEN: Our focus is on exploring and making visible the in-between spaces. What happens between two or more objects in a space, or between individuals at the moment of encounter? We are boundary crossers seeking to create or reveal connections and links. This space of the unknown is not only a creative playground for us but also a place for dialogue.
For us, the finished work isn’t the only thing that counts but also the moment of its creation: painting on the wall, experimenting with space and material, and sharing ideas. We see art as something alive, something that can connect people worldwide.
With our projects like “Sketch Corner”, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, performances, and painting actions as well as the WALL+, we aim to show that art can be alive, accessible, and open to everyone, as long as one chooses to be part of the journey.
How did the idea for “the WALL+” come about, and what is the significance of the wall itself? Is there a special story or concept behind it?
Graffiti, like pigeons, is part of the street and our urban life – it’s simply there in all its diversity, whether welcomed, loved, or hated. Yet when this creative expression is curated, graffiti suddenly gains a different status.
During the COVID period, it became evident how important art and culture are to us. When museums, galleries, and cultural venues were closed, street art was still there – free, alive, and creative.
the WALL+ is a transdisciplinary experimental space. Since May 2024, it has hosted actions by artists showcasing the diversity of contemporary mural art in public spaces, opening new horizons and fostering encounters between audiences and artists. It’s a place of meeting and communication, where subculture, art, painting, architecture, and socially relevant topics intersect.
One highlight is the location of the first the WALL+ itself: the Gängeviertel in Hamburg. This unique and charming structure, composed of people, animals, buildings, visions, commitments, and dreams, is a colorful and diverse spaceship that has landed amidst forbidding facades. Sometimes edgy, it’s precisely this edginess that makes the place so alive – a city symbol for creative unconventionality, questioning the status quo, and encouraging dialogue.
the WALL+, as a curated format, challenges artists with its extraordinary dimensions (10m x 2.50m) to develop new approaches. Coinciding with the official opening of the newly renovated Speckstrasse house in the Gängeviertel, the newly installed the WALL+ Hamburg was inaugurated in early summer by the first guest artist with his fresh perspectives on graffiti: StyleWriter and graffiti purist N.O.Madski, a representative of the “Kryptograff” movement. His works evoke graffiti while long since transcending the boundaries between subculture and art under the credo “Graffiti must stay alive.”
Since early December 2024, a new work by the artist OFFBEAT can be seen in the Gängeviertel. Combining his architectural vision with artistic creation, he always incorporates the specific location into his work. From an interview with OFFBEAT: “The Gängeviertel symbolizes how social commitment can create added value for the community. Here, affordable living and working spaces are provided, alongside active promotion of cultural and social projects. Such places are unfortunately not a given in today’s urban development. In my work, I reflect on the architecture of the Gängeviertel – the formal language that reveals these important social functions. Preserving existing buildings and complementing them with social uses are central themes I incorporate into my designs. The Gängeviertel is a model for modern, sustainable construction, and that’s what I want to emphasize in my work. At the WALL+, I integrate its architecture and social significance into the mural. (…) My works aim to inspire positive change and promote values like climate protection and social justice. They serve as symbols to encourage and empower people to shape a better future. (…)” (Full interview on irieites.de)
What criteria do you use to select the artists?
We are a curatorial team of four in the Gängeviertel, looking for artists who are bold, eager to explore new paths, and value dedication, good energy, and honesty over perfection. We love styles and works that push the boundaries of graffiti and go beyond it, creating interdisciplinary connections. The basic beat should lie in graffiti, but we are fascinated when the melody connects to other disciplines: painting, graphic design, architecture, installation, or performance. We also appreciate works with a message that goes beyond pure aesthetics, addressing themes like sustainable architecture or cultural diversity.
What is your long-term goal with “the WALL+“? Are there specific communities or topics you want to highlight?
With the WALL+, we aim to open new horizons by promoting bold, extraordinary, and interdisciplinary works while celebrating graffiti/urban art, which keeps the scene alive.
the WALL+ is designed as a transdisciplinary space for experimentation and interaction, fostering new forms of artistic expression in contemporary mural art, connecting people, and giving back positive energy to this global cultural and art movement.
It’s about creating new spaces for creative freedom and bringing art where it’s needed – uncommercial and in public spaces. Transformative processes in graffiti/urban art should be made visible. The framework is set, but artists shape their styles and themes within it.
How is the wall and the project funded? Are there sponsors or supporters backing you?
The funding comes from a mix of public grants, private sponsors, and community support. Alternative financing methods, like crowdfunding, are also being considered. Currently, we are still building and networking, relying on transparent communication and volunteer efforts to take the first steps. We were fortunate with the initial artists, who were open and supportive of contributing their artistic work to kickstart the vision of the WALL+.
However, it’s important to us: Art has value, even when it’s created in public spaces! Artists should be fairly compensated in the future.
What are your hopes for the future of “the WALL+“? Are there plans to expand or pursue new approaches?
Our vision for the WALL+ is to inspire more people to explore the new dimensions of urban art. We hope the project will grow and evolve without losing its roots.
We’re currently planning to acquire additional walls for the the WALL+ vision and to collaborate with other urban art activists and similar projects. We are already in discussions with a Hamburg gallery, and the WALL+ may even expand to other cities – Palma de Mallorca is a concrete possibility.
What’s crucial to us is that the scene remains vibrant, benefiting from new impulses, and continues to be both exciting and thought-provoking.
www.zonenkinder.org
instagram.com/thewallplus.hamburg
instagram.com/n_o_madski/
instagram.com/studio_offbeat/
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