ROA 'Nature Morte' Mural in Berlin
On a building wall in Berlin's Kreuzberg district, a large-scale mural confronts passersby with a stark and powerful image of life and death. Titled 'Nature Morte', this significant piece of street art is the work of the renowned Belgian artist ROA and has become a landmark in the city's vibrant urban art scene.
The Artist ROA
The mural was created by ROA, an anonymous street artist born in Ghent, Belgium, around 1976. Known for his large-scale depictions of animals, ROA's work is heavily influenced by a childhood fascination with animal skeletons and skulls, which he would collect and draw. This early interest in anatomy and the natural world is a hallmark of his style, often exploring themes of impermanence and the relationship between animals and humans.
Creation and Imagery
'Nature Morte' was painted in June 2011 during ROA's first visit to Berlin. It was commissioned by the Skalitzers Contemporary Art gallery for its 'Transit' exhibition. The artwork features a striking scene of deceased animals native to European ecosystems: a hare, a stork, and a roebuck hang by ropes from a rooftop. Below them, a deceased bull lies on top of a wild boar, whose head is severed nearby.
Rendered in ROA's characteristic black and white palette, the mural's only other color is the stark red of blood, emphasizing the raw and unsentimental depiction of mortality. This choice of subject matter is remarkably direct for a public artwork, challenging viewers with the raw cycles of nature.
A Kreuzberg Landmark
The mural is located at Oranienstraße 2A, on the corner of Manteuffelstraße, and is easily accessible from the Görlitzer Bahnhof U-Bahn station. Its creation was a key moment for Berlin's street art scene, integrating a major international artist's work into the urban fabric of Kreuzberg, a district known for its counter-culture and alternative communities. Today, it is a frequent stop on street art tours and a subject of documentation by art enthusiasts worldwide.
Interestingly, before ROA painted the wall in 2011, the space was an unconventional urban oasis known as Kjosk, which featured a bus converted into a restaurant, picnic tables, and a ping-pong table.
FAQ
Who is the artist behind the 'Nature Morte' mural?
The mural was created by the anonymous Belgian street artist known as ROA. Born in Ghent around 1976, he is famous for his large-scale works of animals, often exploring themes of life and death.
What does the 'Nature Morte' mural in Berlin depict?
The mural shows a composition of dead animals native to Europe, including a hanging hare, stork, and roebuck, as well as a deceased bull and a wild boar. It is rendered primarily in black and white, with red used for blood.
When was the ROA mural in Kreuzberg created?
The 'Nature Morte' mural was painted in June 2011 as part of the 'Transit' exhibition, which was organized by the Skalitzers Contemporary Art gallery.
Where is the 'Nature Morte' mural located?
The mural is located at Oranienstraße 2A, at the corner of Manteuffelstraße in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin. It is easily accessible from the Görlitzer Bahnhof U-Bahn station.
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