Wittenberg Reformation – Nature and Urbanity

The artist and graphic artist OLIVER "MAGIC" RÄKE has been active since the early 1980s. Magic was among the first graffiti writers to use advanced post-graffiti methods, the avant-garde precursors of what is now popular as "street art". He does this in a surprising, intelligent and, above all, unpretentious way. In addition, Magic's love of tagging outlasted such short-lived trends.

In his hometown of Düsseldorf, his unauthorised art has been found in public spaces since the early days of modern graffiti to the present day. Having grown up in the Düsseldorf scene, the graffiti artist and designer KJ263 is also making a name for himself internationally.

The Russian-born artist convinces again and again with his playful creations - a fascinating to ironically funny mixture of everyday perceptions and fictitious gimmicks, depicted in surrealist-looking motifs full of character and charm.

ROMAN KLONEK, born in Katowice, Poland, has a soft spot for old cartoons and printing techniques. In the 90s, he studied graphic design in Düsseldorf and discovered his passion for woodcuts. Over the past 20 years, he has created illustrations and prints with a variety of strange creatures, mostly half-animal/half-human and preferably in strange situations. His work can be described as a balancing act between propaganda poster, folklore and pop.

A bouquet of flowers made of three components was designed by the artists KJ263, Magic One and Roman Klonek. On a light blue background, each of the three has contributed their kind of flowers. At the bottom left, Roman Klonek's flowers can be seen, which are more reminiscent of Pop Art. The rather abstract flowers of KJ263 are quite different. Whereas Magic One works more with light effects on its flowers.

The mural by the artist group "The Band", consisting of Kj263, MAGIC ONE and ROMAN KLONEK, created from August 30 to September 1, deals with the symbolism of "Wittenberg, the Luther City" under the work title "Wittenberg Reformation – Nature and Urbanity" and revolves around topics such as "Freedom of Faith, Reformation, Education and the Courage to Change".

These symbols are culturally of great importance and still influence thinking and acting in the Western world today.

Wittenberg stands for change, the courage to reform and the breakthrough of new ideas. Reforming means rethinking and changing existing conditions in order to adapt them to the demands of the time. It is an act of renewal that can unite both conservative and progressive elements: the preservation of traditions while adapting to new realities.

In addition, the contrast of "nature and urbanity" explores the intersection between nature and the city, highlighting how these two seemingly opposing worlds coexist and interact in creative ways. Plants and flowers are fascinating not only because of their biodiversity, but also because of their colors and shapes, which often have symbolic meanings.

Since these aspects are central both in art and in the form of observations of nature, they reflect not only aesthetic stimuli, but also universal concepts such as life, love, death and renewal.