Creation of a mural is a very complex process. It is a big financial and logistical challenge. Of course, in addition to a place where it is to be painted and a permit to do it, we need a large sum of money: depending on the colours to be used and the size of the painting, it may be as much as much as tens of thousands zlotys. Here is some advice on how to get it done.
Find a wall
Here's the first step: In order to make a legal mural, one must first find a wall and then obtain the permission from the owner or manager of the property.
Urszula Hamkało, the spokesperson of the Municipal Resources Management Company which manages some municipal buildings stated that the "I want to paint a mural - find me a wall" attitude will not work.
If you want to apply for a permit to paint a mural, you need to indicate the specific place. Then we check the building with regard to technical feasibility of the mural", said the spokesperson. "Sometimes this is not possible due to the condition of the building or the plans to perform repairs", she added.
The MRMP is managing fewer and fewer buildings. Buildings in the north-eastern part of the city are managed by the Wrocławskie Mieszkania company, which also receives inquiries and applications concerning murals.
"We have worked with many artists, to include L.U.C.", said Rafał Bernasiński, the spokesperson of Wrocławskie Mieszkania. "We are happy to provide the terms of use of a property for artistic purposes to anyone who asks.
If the selected building is a private property, one must speak directly with the housing cooperative or the homeowner association.
Formalities versus artistic creation
The permit given by the property manager to paint a mural is not the final formality. If the building is owned by the municipality, then the permission of the municipal art consultant.
"Every application undergoes individual analysis", said Beata Urbanowicz, Wroclaw's art consultant, "which involves the design, the location, and the author's name. The latter is a guarantee of quality", she added. As for the location, recently repaired or new buildings and walls are rarely approved by the municipal art consultant to be painted over. Unless this was the original idea of the architect.
Also, if the building is on the municipal list of historical buildings, then the municipal preservation officer must grant his or her permission.
Also, the permission of the owners of the land adjacent to the property on which the mural is to be painted (if not owned by the municipality) for use of that land during the works must be obtained. One must also keep in mind that any and all damages caused during the project will have to be covered by its organizer.
Mural is a work of art
Murals should be in harmony with their surroundings", said Professor Adam Chmielowiec who runs the Atelier of Architectural Painting and Art in Public Space at the Wroclaw Academy of Fine Arts.
"Every mural must be appropriate for the place, the time, and the audience", said the professor. "The authors of the ad hoc painting that floods the streets are often young persons to whom this activity is an opportunity to make a mark. Unfortunately, without appropriate skills, their works are nothing but garbage", added the professor. "In easel painting, there are four corners and the white of the canvas, while in wall painting there are some ready elements: the blue of the sky, the dynamics of the street, the vegetation, etc. Even the name of the street can be a suggestion. All the elements of the work of art must be harmonious. A mural must render the nature of the architecture and its surroundings".
UJ
