Bright colours light up dreary gray
Der Künstler Michael Fischer-Art bringt ein Gebäude in Lüderitz zum Leuchten
Bright colours instead of dreary walls - that is the German artist Michael Fischer's motto. He recently transformed the "Peek-a-book Day Care Centre" in Lüderitz into a colorful work of art.The Leipzig native is known for his large-scale works of art on buildings. He implemented his latest project in Namibia together with local artists.
Fischer has already realised numerous international art projects. In Kenya, for example, he transformed an old goat shed into a colorful and, above all, functional building. It was important to him to involve the locals - a philosophy that he also follows in Namibia. "Make your houses colourful again with your history," he encouraged residents.
For the design of the daycare center, Fischer worked with an artist from Windhoek and also approached other local artists. As a result, other young people spontaneously joined in. The project was voluntary - a matter close to the artist's heart, "which I always give myself for my birthday, no matter what it costs," he explained.
The 'Buchter's reactions showed that his work is well received: "People came by and said: Finally you're doing something about this grey!"
Lüderitz mayor Phillipus Balhao had already known about the project beforehand: "We can hardly contain our excitement. This is a great privilege for our small town." The initiative was created in collaboration with the "Better Berlin" initiative from Leipzig, represented by Kai Uwe Döhler.
The artist sees his work as more than just aesthetics. He likes raising awareness - for the environment, for the community and for possibilities for change. He wants to encourage people to actively contribute to the beautification of their surroundings.
"What I see is optimism, this energy to create something," he says of Namibia and its inhabitants.
One of his long-term projects is to combine art and social commitment. He is toying with the idea of initiating a training project for art in architecture in Namibia and teaching it himself. One project could be to design buildings in Walvis Bay with students. Perhaps next time, when the artist returns to Lüderitz, he will see "if and how the colours can cope with UV radiation."
Sustainability is also important to him. Even if he is no longer there, the positive effect should continue.