Taurus By Opiemme. More Than An Act Of Legal Vandalism

An Italian artist Opiemme realized a site specific street art project in Lodz, Poland, for the Urban Forms Foundation. The local community took an active part in a collective performance throwing bombs with colors at the wall.

First we blew out 300 eggs and filled the shells with paint. Then we invited people to become a part of this project. Before the event Opiemme painted a large black circle with the stenciled word WINA (BLAME). It was supposed to be covered by colorful paint cast by the participants. But it was something more than an act of legal vandalism. Filling the black circle with colors and application of the two new words – OPPORTUNITIES (możliwości in Polish) and DESTINY that replaced the stigmatizing inscription WINA/BLAME had also a symbolic meaning.

The action took place in one of the most neglected quarters of the city plagued by numerous socio-economic problems, such as inherited poverty, unemployment, or alcoholism. In the near future the location will be undergoing deep changes associated with the process of revitalization. As Opiemme explained both the new words and the general concept of the mural inspired by the Taurus constellation express symbolically the upcoming revival of the location which should be carried out with a strong participation of the local community.