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Using the spray can to tell the story of an extraordinary place. Stimulating thought with large murals and creating good vibes: This is what street artist Denis Klatt, alias "HifiOne", sets out to do each time he begins working on a new mural. The Dortmund native, born in 1978, has already transformed countless surfaces both domestically and abroad into colorful attractions and has participated in international festivals. However, his main production site remains in his homeland – the Ruhr area. What is the reason for this? The culture expert spoke with Denis Klatt about wall art in the region.
Hello Mr. Klatt, you have been active in the scene for almost 30 years and have created over 20 murals in cities like Dortmund, Bochum, or Lünen, which culture fans can discover in various corners. What connects you with the cities in the Ruhr area and what of that is reflected in your art?
D.K.:
I am well acquainted with my home, know the backgrounds of certain cities and neighborhoods. This is important to develop an imagery that does justice to the circumstances and objects. I extensively engage with the place and its surroundings before I write a suitable story. Sometimes I incorporate personal nuances and report on events that occupy my mind in a certain life situation. In doing so, it is crucial to address both a superficial and a profound level. On one hand, I want the images to be simply beautiful. They should evoke positive emotions in passersby. Especially children should enjoy the play of colors. On the other hand, behind every element lies a meaning, which can also be socially critical or somber. This creates communication.
Are there concrete examples you can use to explain this duality of beauty and meaning in more detail?
D.K.:
Of course. It can be found in each of my works that I can create freely and without guidelines. Let's take the motif of the great blue tit in the Dortmund Union Quarter from 2020. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Dortmund U. I live nearby, so I know the area very well. There are many blue tits around that I've been able to observe in their flight. The birds represent for me both departure and hope. The painting shows one of them in a barren desert landscape, which symbolizes the standstill in the cultural and gastronomy sector during the Corona period. On the right side, a winged rhinoceros can be seen. It is the heraldic animal of the city of Dortmund, but its wings are clipped. So it cannot take off at the moment. A hammerhead shark in the sea of sky can, however. Viewers can spot it in the upper center of the image. It heralds a new era that is about to begin.
The shark is thus also a symbol for renewal and new beginnings. How does this interpretation come about and why do you more often incorporate animals into your murals to point out grievances or societal fractures?
D.K.:
Surreal, I have always painted, earlier also people in surreal settings. But I love animals. Some like the polar bear in the snow, whereas I prefer the sea and its inhabitants. As a child, I was fascinated by the great white shark, but not just as a predator. I had a GEO magazine with a lot of information about it and wanted to know everything about the predator fish. I translated that into my art, but I am now broader in scope. Whales or rays find their way into my works, as do other exotics from the animal world. The 'Pott' whale, which was created at the Wright Festival 2017 in Bochum on Franz-Vogt-Straße, is a good example of this. Here, I wanted to linguistically establish a connection to the region. The sinking colliery towers in the background of the painting, slowly sinking into the ocean, refer to the structural change in the Pott. The work was created at a time when the closure of the last German hard coal mine Prosper Haniel was already casting its shadow ahead.
The structural change is evident in the past decades not only in industry but also in the street art scene. How do you perceive the public impact of the art form today compared to the past?
D.K.:
The original addressees and recipients of graffiti art were the sprayers themselves. That has changed significantly. Now, writings, murals, and the like are accessible to everyone. Really everyone can enjoy the images. The colorfully designed surfaces contribute to the beautification of the urban landscape, thus enhancing life in the area. I still remember times when artists had to be careful where they sprayed to avoid getting into trouble. The situation is different today. The art form has gained significant attention through social networks. The available surfaces are increasing. Presentation via the internet is the best advertisement for us and our clients.
That sounds like a win-win situation for everyone. Is this also evident in the cities of the Ruhr area? Have true street art hotspots emerged here?
D.K.:
Other cities in NRW and beyond should of course not be underestimated. Düsseldorf and Cologne are strongholds. However, some galleries in Dortmund have ensured in recent years that the scene here is becoming more vibrant. Not every initiator receives the resources that should be available to them. But one could actually speak of a continuous development. I can imagine that in the future even more cities in the Ruhr area will become more colorful. Personally, I wish to be represented in even more places in this context. Then even more people could see my art.
