SpY is one of the urban artists selected by The Crystal Ship by Night urban art festival dedicated to nocturnal artistic works. In Ostend's city, Belgium, you can find the exhibition developed by the Spanish artist. His work was previously published in METALOCUS on the occasion of his interesting intervention in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Specifically, it is a structure formed by five powerful lasers that project a red light that reaches a distance of 1.5 km. In this way, the coast of Ostend is visually divided between heaven and ground.
SpY has proposed something more than a simple spotlight since conceptually, it invites a deep reflection as a society. The idea focuses on our own personal restrictions, which are reflected in ourselves as a human collective. The main axis is that which is as abstract as borders since it is not a limitation of nature, but an imposture that starts from the idea of ​​"otherness".

SpY differs from other artists by its way of working with the urban environment, where, beyond producing changes from their works, it seeks inclusion and correlation with what has been previously found. From a study of attention and perspective, it provokes a feeling of harmony and surprise.
 

Description of project by SpY

SpY, the globally recognized urban artist create a huge red light “Barrier” for THE CRYSTAL SHIP BY NIGHT.

The “Barrier” is made with 5 high-powered lasers that create a unique 1.5 km red light that crosses Ostend beach for “THE CRISTAL SHIP BY NIGHT” light festival.

It is a conceptual line that defines the coast of Ostend and divides the beach and the sky horizontally into 2.

This red light beam paints a spatial and conceptual division that proposes a reflection on the limits and barriers that exist in our society, in our minds and at our borders.

Social and intellectual polarisation is ever more present in our society and requires joint reflection that leads us to a common cause.

In this occasion, SpY has envisioned the installation of a Barrier is made with 5 high-powered lasers that create a unique 1.5 km red light. Given the simplicity and visual power of the project, citizens and visitors are immediately surprised by the decontextualization of the place that suggests a spatial and conceptual division of the beach and the sky horizontally into 2.

SpY is an artist from Madrid whose first urban performances began in the mid-eighties. A little later, SpY established as the leading figure in the urban art scene, he began to explore other forms of artistic communication in the street. His work consists of taking over urban elements by means of transformation or replica, the commentary on urban reality and the interference in his communicative codes.

The bulk of his production stems from the observation of the city and an appreciation of its components not as inert elements, but as a palette of materials overflowing with possibilities. The will of the game, the careful attention to the context of each piece and a constructive, not invasive attitude unmistakably characterize his interventions.

SpY’s pieces want to be a parenthesis in the automated inertia of the urbanite. They are pinches of intention that are hidden in a corner for those who want to let themselves be surprised. Filled with equal parts of irony and positive humour, they appear to make the passer-by smile, incite reflection, and to favour an enlightened conscience.

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SpY
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2020.
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Location
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Ostend, Belgium.
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SpY is an urban artist whose first endeavors date back to the mid-eighties. Shortly after, already a national reference as a graffiti artist, he started to explore other forms of artistic communication in the street. His work involves the appropiation urban elements through transformation or replication, commentary on urban reality, and the interference in its communicative codes.

The bulk of his production stems from the observation of the city and an appreciation of its components, not as inert elements but as a palette of materials overflowing with possibilities. His ludic spirit, careful attention to the context of each piece, and a not invasive, constructive attitude, unmistakably characterize his interventions.

SpY's pieces want to be a parenthesis in the automated inertia of the urban dweller. They are pinches of intention, hidden in a corner for whoever wants to let himself be surprised. Filled with equal parts of irony and positive humor, they appear to raise a smile, incite reflection, and to favor an enlightened conscience.
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Published on: January 16, 2021
Cite: "The virtuality of borders. Barrier by SpY" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/virtuality-borders-barrier-spy> ISSN 1139-6415
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