Artist Leon Keer Brightens Hasselt City Archive with Colorful Mural

The city archive in Hasselt, Belgium, is now adorned with a vibrant mural by Dutch artist Leon Keer, an initiative aimed at increasing the visibility of the institution. Keer, known for his street art, spent seven to eight days completing the colorful artwork on the archive's exterior walls.

Hasselt has actively supported street art since 2010, considering it an accessible form of art that adds significant value to the urban landscape. Karolien Mondelaers, the city's cultural alderman, described street art as a low-threshold artistic expression. Dymfna Meynen, alderman for the city archive, noted that many residents pass by the building without knowing its function, highlighting the need for such public art initiatives.

Keer's mural is designed to visually communicate the essence of a city archive. He explained his concept of using plastic letters contained within a bag, symbolizing how children create their own stories with letters, and how these narratives can either fade away or be preserved within an archive. The artist found the experience of working in Hasselt enjoyable and expressed a willingness to return if invited.

Leon Keer collaborated with his assistant, Massina Spelbos, on the project. Keer mentioned that their long-standing working relationship allows for a seamless and intuitive process. The artist also observed the positive engagement from Hasselt residents who observed the work in progress and discussed the artwork amongst themselves, highlighting the connection street art fosters between artists and the community.