Parees, the contextual mural festival in Oviedo, is a cultural, social, and artistic event that engages both citizens and artists to offer the city a fresh perspective through its walls. Oviedo comes alive with color.
Why wall interventions in Parees?
Walls, or “parees” (in Asturian), have always told stories because there’s an innate human need to express their existence on them. That’s why we want to give the spotlight to walls transformed by artists. We’re talking about muralism because it encompasses all the techniques, styles, and artistic expressions that walls can hold, always with a social commitment.
Walls, or “parees” in Asturian, are like the blank canvases of the street, with a history that’s woven over time. They’ve always been silent witnesses to people’s lives, struggles, laughter, and tears, as humanity has a deep need to leave its mark on them. That’s why we immerse ourselves in the world of mural intervention.
For us, muralism is more than just conventional art. It brings together various techniques, styles, and artistic expressions, finding their canvas on the walls of our cities. But muralism isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a deep social commitment. Every stroke, every color, every image tells a story, conveys an idea, or evokes an emotion.
At Parees, we celebrate the union of creativity and social consciousness. We believe that murals are more than mere urban adornments; they are open windows for reflection, protest, hope, and inspiration. Each mural is a bold statement, a visual conversation that challenges established norms and stimulates the imagination of those who view it.
Walls are living canvases that deserve to be filled with stories, art, and a commitment to the world around us.
Participatory processes
In the realm of participatory processes, the connection between different stakeholders and the involvement of artistic mediators (the Raposu Roxu team (Raposu Roxu)) play a crucial role. These participatory processes involve key actors such as associations and community residents who work closely with artists to create works that reflect social needs and the unique characteristics of the environment.
The collaboration between artists and residents enables the generation of consensus sketches. This ensures that murals or artistic projects are an authentic and meaningful representation of the community in which they are created.
Muralism, as a form of collective artistic expression, becomes a tool to strengthen the sense of belonging within a community. Through these participatory processes, inclusive dialogue is encouraged, and local cultural identity is promoted.
It’s important to highlight the social value these projects hold by giving a voice to different sectors of society and by creating more accessible and inclusive public spaces. Participatory processes in the artistic realm allow bridges to be built between different perspectives and generate a greater sense of community.
More information on participatory processes >
Contextualized Murals
Contextualized murals go beyond mere decoration; they integrate with the territory and society, capturing cultural essence and conveying meaningful messages.
The creation process of a contextualized mural involves a series of meetings and dialogues with the local community. This way, an understanding of social imagination and cultural details is achieved to be reflected in art.
These murals promote cultural identity and traditions of a society. Through art, conversations and reflections about important community topics are generated.
It’s essential to recognize the value artists bring to the social fabric through contextualized murals. Their work not only transforms a space visually but also strengthens community bonds and fosters cultural pride.
With contextualized murals, we make sure to create interventions linked to the territory and its surrounding social imagery. This way, through visiting the interventions created in Parees, you can get an idea of where you are, cultural details, arts, society, and traditions.
Quality versus quantity
The project is entirely funded by the Municipal Culture Foundation of the Oviedo City Council. For us, this represents a commitment to society. Therefore, we offer artists, producers, collaborators, and coordinators fair fees, sustenance, accident insurance, and a caring, family-like approach.
All interventions have a prior study of the wall that will host the artistic work, and they are prepared appropriately to ensure maximum durability. This involves the application of primers, in some cases, pressure washing, and repairs for flaking and cracks.
Sustainable mobility
In each edition of Parees, we offer a bicycle route to visit the murals.
Sustainable mobility is of great importance today. More and more people are opting for environmentally responsible means of transportation, such as bicycles. A bike ride not only allows us to enjoy the outdoors and stay active but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions and promoting a sustainable city.
In addition to pedaling through the streets, another interesting way to explore a city from a sustainable perspective is by visiting murals and art installations that beautify its streets. These visits not only allow us to appreciate urban art but also raise awareness about the importance of caring for our environment and promoting responsible mobility.
In summary, sustainable mobility provides us with the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience while contributing to the care of the planet. Whether you’re exploring bike routes or admiring urban murals, every little gesture counts in building a more environmentally friendly city.