The almost sixty square meter mural that artist collective Toyisten created in Groningen may remain after all. The artwork is placed on a wall that is at most 65 years old. This would mean it would lose its monumental status.
Art collective Toyisten received the news from Groningen architect Pieter van der Kamp, who renovated the building on Hereweg in 2018 and had access to the building history of the building. “He said, ‘Don’t worry,’” says artist Dejo.
When the building on Hereweg was built in 1885, it occupied house numbers 59-63. But when the former Mennerslaan was widened, 63 had to make way. Documents from a building history survey show that, no more than 65 years ago, an extra wall was placed against it to strengthen the weakened building.
The extra wall had not been noticed before during the three-month painting project, according to Dejo because the wall was completely covered in scaffolding. “But if you are now standing at the front of Hereweg 61, you can clearly see that a wall has been placed in front of it with a thickness of 25 centimeters. That is the wall on which we have now painted.”
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