with red smoke grenades, SpY revitalizes derelict industrial smokestacks of völklingen

urban artist SpY presents a new work comprising red smoke grenades installed above the chimney of the UNESCO protected ‘volklingen’ ironworks factory. the monumental project was presented at the 5th urban art biennale of the world cultural heritage site völklinger hütte, germany — a biennial event which showcases the latest developments and positions of the international urban art scene. the largest urban art exhibition worldwide, over 400,000 visitors have attended the biennale since 2011 while nearly three hundred artists — including banksy, shepard fairey and futura — have exhibited their works in the völklinger hütte.

spanish street artist SpY showcases at the volklinger biennale with the release of a continuous cloud of billowing red smoke from the chimneys of the derelict industrial plant, first erected in 1873. while the völklingen iron works factory had shut down in 1986 after nearly a century of operation, its smokestacks have seen decades of disuse. the vibrant work serves as a revitalization and a reminder to visitors of the rich history of the heritage site.

project info:

project title: SMOKE

artist: SpY

exhibition: völklinger hütte 5th urbanart biennale 2019

location: völklingen, saarland, germany

project year: 2019