Revitalizing Pristina's Concrete Jungle With The Power Of Graffiti Art
More than 100 artists from 28 countries are taking part in a project to revitalize a dull and gray part of Kosovo's capital with vibrant hues.
1
Liliana Demitri, a graffiti artist from Italy, paints a mural as part of the Meeting of Styles graffiti festival in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, on July 29.
The city is trying to revitalize its drab image with vivid graffiti murals that will help transform public spaces into more inviting, vibrant areas.
The city is trying to revitalize its drab image with vivid graffiti murals that will help transform public spaces into more inviting, vibrant areas.
2
More than 100 artists from 28 countries have covered 2,000 square meters of walls near a road that divides old communist-era buildings on the west with new ones on the east.
3
Fran Feo, a graffiti artist from the Canary Islands, at work.
"When you see the concrete, it gives the impression that it is still under construction," said Agon Xhelili, festival organizer. "When artists see these locations they say, 'Hell, this is the best place to paint,'" he added.
"When you see the concrete, it gives the impression that it is still under construction," said Agon Xhelili, festival organizer. "When artists see these locations they say, 'Hell, this is the best place to paint,'" he added.
4
Julian Santamaria, a graffiti artist from Colombia, poses with his mural.
The German nonprofit group Meeting of Styles was founded in the middle of the 1990s to help artists legally paint in neglected or abandoned areas.
The German nonprofit group Meeting of Styles was founded in the middle of the 1990s to help artists legally paint in neglected or abandoned areas.
5
Local artist Altin Ibrahimi from Podujeva told RFE/RL that his work "expresses an emotion, fear, joy, desire. I try to convey the inner world."
6
A woman walks by as Swalt, a graffiti artist from Switzerland, creates his new mural.
7
Italian graffiti artist Mattia Martini at work.
"I painted a whale. It is made as if it were a tree. So there are leaves and branches that grow like a tree. So the whale is flying, like in a fantastic universe," Martini said.
"I painted a whale. It is made as if it were a tree. So there are leaves and branches that grow like a tree. So the whale is flying, like in a fantastic universe," Martini said.
8
Daniel Sharon, an artist from London, paints motifs from the 1950s horror film Creature From The Black Lagoon.
9
Swiss artist Line Guillod paints a portrait of a woman.
"I think a woman should have power in society. For me, it is very important to make portraits of women, because we have to take our place on the street. We have to take our place in society, in politics," she said.
"I think a woman should have power in society. For me, it is very important to make portraits of women, because we have to take our place on the street. We have to take our place in society, in politics," she said.
10
Dizi, a graffiti artist from Greece
11
Giovanni Laporta from Italy at work.
"I combine many elements from fine art, 3D modeling and lettering. I am essentially a description of my work of art," he said.
"I combine many elements from fine art, 3D modeling and lettering. I am essentially a description of my work of art," he said.
12
Michele Furia, a graffiti artist from Italy, at work.
Since its creation, Meeting of Styles has organized more than 400 events such as the one in Pristina.
Since its creation, Meeting of Styles has organized more than 400 events such as the one in Pristina.
13
Davide Pianta, a graffiti artist from Italy, cools himself with water in front of his mural.
Pristina experienced a surge in construction following the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, though more than 70 percent of all homes and apartments were built without official approval.
Pristina experienced a surge in construction following the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, though more than 70 percent of all homes and apartments were built without official approval.
