25
Apr
2024
News
Joint art project at the Hitzendorf site
Visitors to the library, bank customers, grandmas/grandpas and mums/dads picking up their offspring from kindergarten were amazed at the collective creativity that was unleashed for two days in the centre of Hitzendorf near Graz.
In a joint project, a large wall was transformed into a colourful, positive work of wonder and the neighbourhood was celebrated with a positive view of the future.
In the centre of town
When we moved to our new location in Styria, we immediately noticed the very central location. At the intersection between the kindergarten, library and school and in the same building as Raiffeisenbank, we are now right in the centre of the friendly market town with its 7,300 inhabitants.
High time to make a positive impression and lay the foundations for a good neighbourhood. After we had already "branded" the excellently equipped interior in our modern style, we came up with the idea of making the outside wall friendlier too.
Once the Raiffeisenbank, as the owner, had given us the go-ahead, we started looking for local artists. We quickly found what we were looking for. The ideas and concepts were good and of a high artistic standard. But something was missing.
The journey is the destination
We realised that we weren't just interested in an attractive result, but above all in a shared, interactive way of getting there. We didn't just want to create something that appeals, but something that is sustainable, perhaps even something that will last for generations. And ideally something that everyone can participate in and identify with, so that it becomes a part of us and our neighbours.
The idea
This gave rise to the idea of not commissioning work from an artist, but becoming artists ourselves. At our main location in Sistrans, we have already worked with Mati (@matiascabreramuralismo) a street art/mural artist from Argentina who specialises in coaching people to create great art together.
Together with Mati, we then set about creating a visual concept. In doing so, we defined that we didn't want to create an advertising space, but - in line with our claim "Your Digital Future" - a positive view of the future.
Bad weather and other challenges
Together with the Raika employees, our team and the kindergarten, we tried to find a time slot well in advance where we could carve out two creative days in addition to our day-to-day business. Not so easy with World Savings Day, trade fairs, holidays and important customer appointments.
In the end, we managed it and set a date for the end of April. We buy everything we need, pack the car and check the weather forecast just in case. Snow in Hitzendorf! As we've been working towards the date for months now, artist Mati has taken the week off work for us and has already travelled here, we want to do everything we can to make it happen.
For our employee Silke, the project is a matter close to her heart and she is very committed to organising a tent and roofing so that we can work even in the adverse conditions.
The tent is erected in no time and we start by projecting our design onto the wall and tracing the approximate proportions and outlines. Thanks to the tent and tarpaulin cover, the brightness of our projector is just sufficient to provide enough contrast to be able to recognise our design on the wall even during the day.
Children to power - er brushes!
After priming and masking, our Mini-Picassos from the kindergarten arrive in groups of five, their painting aprons tied around their necks, and work their magic to create a colourful, lush meadow of flowers. An opportunity to paint on such a large scale doesn't come along very often and is savoured to the full. The different approaches and creative approaches are a great pleasure for us to witness. Whilst some create clean structures and fine patterns with a lot of feeling, others stamp at full throttle to fill as much space as possible. We won't soon forget the proud faces and stories of our little artists when mum, dad, grandpa and grandma pick them up.
Bank managers and managing directors inspire "Sumsi"
The fact that all partners are fully behind the project is demonstrated by the collaboration between Raika authorised signatory Alois Gogg and World Direct Managing Director Jürgen Klösch, who are working together on a central element of the artwork and bringing "Sumsi" to life.
Our vision for the future: here to stay
The fact that in the end almost 50 people were involved in a sustainable project and that there was so much positive feedback from local residents and relatives is almost overwhelming. Together, we have created something that puts a little smile on our faces every day and gives us a positive outlook for the future.
