PRESS INFORMATION

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Golden Eagle: Icon DALeast Paints Façade of Bülowstrasse 7

Der goldene Adlerkopf, gesprüht von DALeast, auf der Fassade der Bülowstr. 7. Photo: Henrik Haven

Berlin, 29 October 2014: anyone who passes Nollendorfplatz on the subway or takes a stroll down Bülowstrasse in Schöneberg cannot miss the astonishing paint job on the commercial and residential property at number 7. Since just a few days ago, the entire façade has been covered in hundreds of golden lines. They criss-cross – and appear to the observer like a giant, three-dimensional and very much living Eagle-Head.

The artwork was created by none less than the street art icon DALeast. The Chinese artist’s murals have been fascinating passers-by all over the world for several years now. DALeast came up with a particularly spectacular idea for Bülowstrasse: this time, he worked in yellow and white on black. A première.

The art action is part of the “Project/M” series by the Gewobag initiative Urban Nation. Four times a year, Urban Nation invites a group of young, internationally renowned street artists to redesign surfaces in Bülowstrasse. “Project/M is about bringing artists together and letting them jointly develop lively and colourful artworks”, explains Yasha Young, director of the Urban Nation initiative and of Gewobag’s art and culture management.

The shop windows on the ground floor of Bülowstrasse 7 also got a face lift. Last Saturday, the Americans Jeff Soto and Dan Witz, Switzerland’s NYCHOS, the Polish-born OLEK and the Mexican SANER each transformed one of the windows into an individual work of art, with the result that by the end of the evening, a spectacular outdoor gallery had been created. The work of Polish-born Agata Oleksiak alias OLEK is especially eye-catching: instead of using a spray can, she takes a crochet needle and, stitch for stitch, creates a car, a bull or a locomotive. On her UN-work you can read in large white letters: "Keep calm".

OLEK’s work and that of her fellow artists will be on show at Bülowstrasse 7 until February 2015, after which they will be replaced. Because the corner building at Bülowstrasse 7

– – – Press contacts Inquiries regarding the artists: General media inquiries: Yasha Young Dr. Gabriele Mittag Fon: 030 3229-5989 Fon: 030 4708-1525 [email protected] [email protected]

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changes appearance four times a year. “That’s part of the deal. Street art is ephemeral, like everything else in life”, says Yasha Young.

Accompanying pop up exhibition offers unique insight into street art scene

The art action is being accompanied by a pop up exhibition entitled "Greetings from ". The show’s name is a nod to its creator: the famous New York gallery owner Jonathan LeVine. “It’s fantastic to have been able to get Jonathan on board for our project. Here, he has brought together the works of some of the world’s most renowned urban artists, offering the people of Berlin a unique insight into the street art scene”, explained Young on Saturday, 25 October, on the fringes of the vernissage. Until the end of November, the works of twelve international artists will be on show and on sale at the Urban Nation Office in Bülowstrasse 97 – including art by Aj Fosik, DALeast, Dan Witz, Evol and Faile.

The P/M Series – Art for the People of Berlin

Since late 2013, the initiative Urban Nation has been regularly inviting well-known international or local urban artists to Berlin. Many of the works realised so far are in Bülowstrasse in Schöneberg. This street was consciously chosen for the project. The district is lively but also hampered by a number of negative factors. Thanks to "Project M/", Bülowstrasse, much of which is marred by crime, litter and pollution, is attracting greater public attention and getting an opportunity to release its potential as a neighbourhood. “In the meantime, northern Schöneberg has become a hot spot of the street art scene”, says Young. Renowned street artists such as Ben Eine, Nick Walker or Martha Cooper have already played their part in turning a dull-looking street into a colourful gallery.

– – – About Urban Nation Urban Nation sees itself as a platform for artists, projects and the local community. At the centre of Urban Nation is the art form street art. Yasha Young manages and directs Urban Nation and her creative vision for liveable urban spaces is the driving force behind the projects and their growth and development. As an internationally renowned curator and art expert, Young is well integrated and deeply involved in the international contemporary art scene. Urban Nation is backed by the municipal housing society Gewobag, which also owns the building at Bülowstrasse 7. Gewobag launched the project in 2013 and provides it with long-term funding. With more than 100,000 tenants, Gewobag has very close ties to Berlin. Promoting art and culture is one of the mainstays of the company’s philosophy.

The Chinese artist DALeast in Schöneberg: In Action (l.) und proud of his work. (r.). Photos: Henrik Haven

– – – Press contacts Inquiries regarding the artists: General media inquiries: Yasha Young Dr. Gabriele Mittag Fon: 030 3229-5989 Fon: 030 4708-1525 [email protected] [email protected]

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The Polish-born OLEK (standing) takes a crochet needle instead of using a spray can. Photo: Henrik Haven

The Artist NYCHOS. Photo: Henrik Haven

The Artist Jeff Soto. Photo: Henrik Haven

We would be happy to send you more photos in print-quality resolution. Just send a mail to [email protected]. – – – Press contacts Inquiries regarding the artists: General media inquiries: Yasha Young Dr. Gabriele Mittag Fon: 030 3229-5989 Fon: 030 4708-1525 [email protected] [email protected]