At the passage leading to Spittelberg, a removable frame on the lift shaft as well as permanent murals present the works of international and local street artists. Usually, the exhibition on the lift shaft is part of a little solo exhibition at Jan Arnold Gallery. Next to the alternating works, you can see murals by Artiste Ouvrier (FRA) and Wizardskull (USA). The black and blue tiles on the bridge were designed by French street art pioneer Invader. The ambiguous mural ‘I weed…’ covering the lift shaft was created by Lois Weinberger.

Interview with curator Sebastian Schager

Who are you?

Under the pseudonym Artis.love, I combine different aspects of my work as an artist and a curator. Studying graphic design and art history and being part of the artist group Perfekt World for ten years had a major influence on my work. Projects with artists and institutions and regular workshops allow constant learning.

Since when have you been at Q21?

Since 2012.

What are your fields of activity?

Primarily, I work as an artist, but I am also a curator of the Street Art Passage, the Living Studio and Jan Arnold Gallery in various collaborations. Another exciting mainstay are art print editions, which are released under the name LEAP - Limited Edition Art Prints and available online. So, networking plays an important role in my work.

Street art ist art because …?

Art according to Duden: ‚creation from different materials or by means of language or sound, engaging with nature and the world.’ I think street art fits this definition pretty well.

betonblumen…?

This mini-magazine may only be released in irregular intervals, but it provides additional information regarding individual artists of the Street Art Passage. It’s great to hold something printed in your hands in a time of absolute digital transformation.  

What challenges do you face?

As an artist, you face financial obstacles and other substantial problems especially in the beginning. But with some foresight, you realise there are much more important things, like co-creating the future and, related to this, art’s philosophical responsibility in general. That is why collaboration is so important, because these interfaces, even if each of them comes with new obstacles, always produce something new and exciting. That is why I am where I am right now.

What is the significance of art in public spaces?

It is the same significance as that of advertising – only that classic advertising should be forbidden.

Street Art can…?

… die Welt verändern, genau wie jede andere große Kunstströmung. Oder verändert sich die Welt und die Kunstströmung entsteht gleich mit? Ich denke es ist beides richtig.