Solheimsviken Ballbinge

A StreetArt Bergen Project.
Project took place late May 2021.

The municipality made contact with us asking if we could assists with decorating a new local playground. Sure we can. This project is the bases for a soft colab between City of Bergen and StreetArt Bergen. They contact us when they are ready and need something decorated. We assist with making contact with the relevant artists. No hazel – pure fun.

This project is in an area of multi-cultural backgrounds. The playground’s aim is to become a center in the neighborhood and to be used by all ages.

So it all went super good. The playground was opened by city councils – two of them. All including us was handed nice words and flowers. Super cool and all happy as far as …

Then it exploded – From what we know some orthodox religious neighbors reacted on one of the characters painted in the total wall painting. We call him “The Old Jew”. He is an elderly Jewish person sitting there demonstrating with a Palestinian flag and a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) armband. It was a hullabaloo all the way into the political corridors. The orthodox managed to get their way and The Old Jew had to be painted over. National Broadcaster (NRK) cover the take over.

PS – What was done was that “Question Everything but this statement” was painted as a new piece. Then the artist headed out into the night and painted the Old Jew another place in town.

Participating artists were: NSER, TRI, Miko, Riot, Helm and AFK