The largest street art work of art in Europe is finished! 18,000 m2 of murals on the Aurora apartment complex in Heerlen. This is a huge achievement by #BoaMistura and the residents.
For and by the residents
Large and small, you will come across forms of street art everywhere in Heerlen. Not just to beautify the city. Especially because art connects. And that is exactly what the Spanish artist collective Boa Mistura is committed to worldwide: art as inspiration for change with active residents as an important starting point.
It is therefore no surprise that Wonen Limburg, owner of the 228-apartment residential building in the GMS district, worked out the idea with the Street Art Foundation to make Aurora a building to be proud of.
A new dawn
BoaMistura was inspired in her design by the name 'Aurora', the Roman goddess of the dawn. But the real inspiration came from the place, the history of the city and the stories and experiences of the residents.
The Aurora complex symbolizes a society where people participate, are activated and valued. Where it doesn't matter who they are, where they come from, what they do or what they don't do.
That is why the text “At the heart of every winter lives a quivering spring” which is affixed to the building not only for the Aurora complex, but for all areas in the Parkstad region where residents need to be helped and activated.
Residents thought this was a nice symbol for the new start of the Auroraflat. “You can already tell that things are changing in Aurora. People are curious, come out and have a chat with each other. That alone is great!' says Noortje, an active member of the residents' committee.
Proud of my neighborhood
The inhabitant of Aurora cannot be lumped under one name. With a population of over 400 people, it is a village in itself. They have their home here from all over the world and from various backgrounds.
'When I say in a conversation that I live in Aurora, there is not always a positive response. I hope this project can dispel those prejudices. The people who live here deserve that', says resident Hessel, who has enjoyed living there for over 13 years.
Art offers opportunities
'In all these projects, residents themselves always contribute to BoaMistura's art paintings. This way they get to know each other and get to know each other better.
Residents who have worked together on such a beautiful project will then take better care of their building and the environment. We hope to achieve that in Heerlen as well', says Pablo, one of the artists. In addition, fifteen residents of Heerlen will follow a work-learning trajectory here so that they can move on to a paid job.
