Manuel Di Rita, also known as Peeta, is a graffiti artist since 1993 and currently living in Venice. He is a member of the EAD crew (Padova, Italy), FX and RWK crews (New York City). His work explores the potential of sculptural lettering and anamorphism, both in painting and in sculpture.
In his compositions, the geometrical shapes he designs behave as if they interact with the surrounding environment. In particular when painting on walls, his aim is to create a dialogue with the structural and cultural parameters of the surrounding context, either architectural or not.
Initially, his works only realized the sculptural quality of individual letters, namely the ones that spelled out his own moniker, Peeta. Progressively, the fusion between traditional lettering and three-dimensional style has given life to a unique kind of visual rhythm. Today, through his anamorphic works, he redesigns the volumes of any surface involved, thus causing with his paintings a “temporary interruption of normality” by altering the perception of familiar contexts and so raising a different understanding of spaces and, consequently, of reality on a whole.
A year ago this building in Zwolle was partially demolished and a dismantled wall remained. The mural is white-blue, the colors of Zwolle, but that's a coincidence, Peeta said. He drew inspiration from the blue and white trains and signs at the station. The design represents an openwork building, for which Peeta used the division of the surface and the relief of the wall. It is an abstract reference to the rail network of Zwolles train station. Complicated and structured at the same time.
The mural will remain at the spot for three to five years. Next to the wall, a new footbridge will be build over the train track.