javier de riba paints patterned tiles onto floors of abandoned urban spaces

javier de riba paints patterned tiles onto floors of abandoned urban spaces
all images courtesy of javier de riba

in abandoned urban spaces in and around his native barcelona, catalan artist javier de riba intervenes with vibrant painted artworks that alter the character of the site. his ‘floors’ project sees colorful, geometrically patterned faux tiles imprinted on concrete surfaces, sidewalks and skateparks using stencils and spray paint. mirroring the traditional motifs that embody the culture of barcelona, the interventions interweave floral symbols and shapes to form decorative ornamentation. these configurations take shape through the meticulous layering of colors, applied in a particular sequence over a period of time. 

the works are sited in abandoned urban spaces in and around the artist’s native barcelona

while some paintings comprise a single, square frame — isolated within their context to highlight the juxtaposition between neglected and new — others are illustrated on large surfaces that sweep across entire floors. from now until march 20, 2016, miscelanea gallery in barcelona presents an exhibition of de riba’s work that includes a site-specific vertical installation made especially for the show. 

the vibrant painted artworks alter the character of the site

‘villa vicente’, 2016

detail of ‘villa vicente’ in a demolished house in donostia

making of ‘villa vicente’

intervention on a hidden skate spot floor in hütteldorf, vienna

the ‘floors’ project sees colorful, geometrically patterned faux tiles imprinted on concrete surfaces

the interventions mirror the traditional motifs that embody the culture of barcelona

the interventions interweave floral symbols and shapes to form decorative ornamentation

layers of paint are applied in a particular sequence over a period of time

‘break’ floors installation in abandoned factory

warm toned geometries are applied with paint 

a large scale hand painted floor pattern 

the painting is illustrated on a large surface that sweeps across the entire floor

in-process: the work takes shape tile by tile