All posts tagged: Ceciro

Highlights From A Colorful “Asalto”: Zaragoza’s Premier Street Art Festival Flourishes

Highlights From A Colorful “Asalto”: Zaragoza’s Premier Street Art Festival Flourishes

Zaragoza’s Asalto Festival, in its recent edition, once again demonstrates a magnetic pull in the world of street art, attracting both local talent and international artists. Nestled in La Jota, one of Zaragoza’s most historic neighborhoods, the festival radiated creativity on the streets from September 15 to 24. Not only did it reclaim its mural game, but it also embraced a spectrum of activities reminiscent of its pre-pandemic grandeur.

Taroe. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)

This year artists from diverse backgrounds converged on Zaragoza’s streets: Taroe from France drew inspiration from a working-class neighborhood in the United States, promising to carry a touch of Zaragoza to his next destination. Stelios Pupet of Greece unveiled a pixelated female figure, marking his first significant piece in Spain. Anetta Lujkanova from Finland introduced a mural evoking dreams and local folklore, while Italy’s Giulio Vesprini paid homage to La Jota’s gardens in his distinct style, infusing both the name of the neighborhood and his signature numerical touch. Ceciro from Uruguay showcased a potent depiction of women’s emancipation, and Zaragoza’s own Miguel Hcuar, now a London resident, brought a vivid pop art dream to life.

Taroe. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)

One of the standout initiatives was from 3dfiti, which cleverly bridged the tangible and digital realms through 3D printing. They orchestrated a city-wide treasure hunt with 3D printed art pieces, leveraging social media’s power and engaging attendees in an immersive game.

Taroe. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)

This year’s edition also resurrected the Asalto Fair, celebrating both local and national artists. Noteworthy documentary screenings, including Carlos Saura’s “Las paredes hablan” and Boa Mistura’s “Crossroads”, added depth to the festival’s narrative.

Now in its eighteenth year, Asalto continues to be a beacon of community engagement with  workshops, guided tours, tournaments, and more – underscoring a commitment to inclusivity and cultural enrichment. The festival’s blend of grassroots energy, global artistic prowess, and the embracing of innovative mediums makes it a celebration of not just art, but also the community and the city it celebrates.

Miguel Hcuar. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Miguel Hcuar. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Ceciro. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Ceciro. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
3DFITI. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
3DFITI. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
3DFITI. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Stelios Pupet. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Stelios Pupet. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Anetta Lujkanonva. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Art Fair. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
Art Talks. Festival Asalto 2023. Zaragoza, Spain. (photo courtesy of Festival Asalto)
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Fanzara Art Festival 2022

Fanzara Art Festival 2022

The storied, busy, festive Spanish city of Valencia lies about an hour south of Fanzara, and the difference between the two could not be more pronounced. One of many across the country, this small town has been aging, shrinking in population, a shadow of its former charming self. Since the Fanzara Miau Mural Festival began about a decade ago, that direction has been slowly reversing, with an infusion of murals all over town.

The tourist trafficked has become notable, and that youthful demographic once again wanders through the winding streets, greeting old timers and taking photos of the murals and of course, posing for selfies in front of them.

Ceciro. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

The artworks are quite varied, with street artists now often formally trained studio professionals and those working in the advertising and commercial art industries. Thankfully the feeling remains free spirited, and many artists appear to await inspiration for their subject matter until arriving, preferring to be inspired by their new environment and creating something that initiates dialogue with their surroundings.

Bault. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

From the classically figurative to naïve, illustrative to photorealistic, the natural world to daily life, the common thread is thoughtful and considered work that is far from the hype of other street art festivals – and safely far from commercial gloss.

Today we have new photos from the 2022 edition by frequent contributor Lluis Olive Bulbena.

Bault. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Bault. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Axel Void. Fanzara Art Festival 2020. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Slim Safont. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Pedro Kouba and Cesar Goce. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Pedro Kouba and Cesar Goce. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Pedro Kouba and Cesar Goce. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Sokram paints an artist walking the tightrope. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Isaac Cordal. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Isaac Cordal. Fanzara Art Festival 2020. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Manuel Martin. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
EL NIÑO DE LAS PINTURAS. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
EL NIÑO DE LAS PINTURAS. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Zesar and Meri. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Zesar and Meri. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Huariu. Fanzara Art Festival 2022. Fanzara, Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
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