“Propagating Machine,” NEVERCREW, 2017, Ulmenweg 40, 68167 Mannheim; Photo: Alexander Krziwanie / Stadt.Wand.Kunst

The mural “Propagating Machine” by NEVERCREW in Mannheim

“Propagating Machine” depicts a group of two-dimensional penguins in the lower section of the façade, produced in color by a machine on an assembly line. In the style of classic stencil graffiti, this mechanical composition forms the foundation for a crystal of reflected light, shadows, and the reflections of the colored penguins that hovers above, casting the penguins into shadow. It extends up to the roof of the facade and blends harmoniously into its urban surroundings.

Regarding the significance of the Mannheim-based artwork “Propagating Machine,” the two artists say: “This is a work about the balance between the elements, about the relationship between humanity and nature, and about how each element can affect the system of which it is a part—both positively and negatively. It is about immediate effects and long-term consequences that may not seem tangible, and thus about the importance of individual actions or global attitudes toward the environment in which we live.”

The image symbolizes the influence of nature and civilization on our global world. The artists aim to demonstrate how these two aspects are interdependent and influence one another. It is intended to highlight the “immediate effects and long-term consequences for the environment,” while reflecting both the positive and negative aspects of the relationship between humans and nature.

Photos documenting the creation of the NEVERCREW mural

The video showing the creation of the NEVERCREW mural

The NEVERCREW mural on the map

Photos: Alexander Krziwanie