State of the art
Matt Charlton discovers how art duo Veli & Amos use public spaces to make a statement
It can’t be denied that we’re currently living in a very fraught world, riddled with division and social issues… go on, try to deny it — you can’t, can you. But it could be argued that the arts flourish in such times: the protest music of the late 60s, Keith Haring’s work during the AIDS crisis, the punk movement… ‘Think Twice’ by Phil Collins… I’ve gone too far, haven’t I? Anyway, despite the ancient Chinese curse ‘May you live in interesting times’ never feeling so pertinent, a charged society breeds memorable art. Step forward Veli Silver and Amos Angeles.
The Slovenian-Swiss artist duo based between Ljubljana and Zurich, otherwise known as Veli & Amos, use language, codes and graffiti to draw attention to social issues, but, for 25hours Zurich Langstrasse, the message is a bit more uplifting, though no less affecting. “We wanted to do something big and inspirational for the people in the city and its visitors. Something that makes people stop for a while, smile and take a picture”, they tell me. ‘Dear Zurich, we would like to strongly encourage you to consider having a great day’, they wrote with adhesive tape across the entire facade of the seven-story building, plus a smiley, a heart, ‘Love’ and the artists’ signature: ‘Veli & Amos’.
Maybe this is a message that every city — hell — every community, needs. Why is public art so important to them? “Public space has become increasingly significant, especially in the age of social media. It’s a physical experience in our daily surroundings, a place we all encounter — unlike social media or galleries — where we can curate our experiences or remain within personal bubbles.” They finish this thought with some pertinent words, “In public space, you have to close your eyes not to see it.”
But maybe a lot of people — hopefully figuratively — are walking around with their eyes closed. What does it take to get a reaction from a passive audience… is it more important to them to make a statement or provoke debate? “To provoke by breaking some ground is always good, it can be a statement, size, cuteness or even provoking by not being provocative”, they proffer. “When provocation sparks debate, it’s always good, but it’s very challenging at the same time. Being open to new perspectives is crucial, not just to challenge others but also to reflect on and expand our own limited views.”
And how open are minds to new perspectives in an ostensibly conservative city such as Zurich? Is there a passion, support and community for the more provocative and modern in such an environment? “While there are talented individuals working in the art field, the scene has felt less cohesive since the impact of the pandemic, and free space remains scarce” — Veli and Amos always speak as one voice, by the way. “This inspired us to create the Ice Cream Project. An exhibition space on wheels (shown above). It’s an independent platform for showcasing art we like. The project is funded in part by renting out hand-painted billboards on the truck.” Both the billboard and the truck serve as canvas spaces available for rent, allowing individuals to have a voice in public space and be part of the art.
It feels as if this type of outreach is important to them, to take their messages beyond a narrow audience and make the sometimes distant concept of ‘art’ more accessible and less intimidating. “Our aim has always been to communicate our work, not just to art enthusiasts, but to a broader audience. Public spaces require engagement with an existing context, while galleries demand the creation of one. We enjoy shifting dynamics, prioritizing the message over the medium. In the end, it’s about what we want to express.”
It seems to me that their more visible, provocative work in the public sphere is a route they intend to pursue. “We have been actively involved in numerous public space projects. In the city, we manage several billboards available for rent, offering options for hand-painted designs or LED neon signs. Recently, we moved into a larger studio, providing more space to continue these projects.”
Next time you’re in Zurich, be certain to walk past 25hours Hotel and look at their message on the side of the building. If you crack a smile, if your day suddenly improves, you know what? You’ve just opened your eyes to art. Why bother moving into a bigger space when Zurich — and its people — seems to be their canvas.
