“The Arches of Peace”
Klostergade 82
This painting is inspired by Global Goal #16 ‘Peace, justice and strong instituions’
This painting is made by Monkey Bird Crew, France
“The Arches of Peace”
We wanted to deal with institutions in the broadest sense of the term. The starting point for our image was the illustration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed on the 10th of December 1948. On the left, the symbol of the constitutional monarchy, with its fleur-de-lysé mantle, releases the citizen from his chains. On the right, the winged symbol of liberty symbolises the rights of Man and Citizen. Beneath the title, an ouroboros – a snake biting its tail – signifies the perpetuity of the rights enshrined in the Declaration.
The Phrygian cap worn by freed slaves in Rome is also pictured here. As if to further underline the sovereignty of the nations, a laurel braid, symbolising both the glory of the victor and power, frames the text. It's the institutional aspect and justice that are represented here.
The two central figures represent knowledge and the arts, as guardians of a universal heritage. The architecture in the background is a perspective of the interior of a library, where all human knowledge is made available.
Various birds show the diversity of species, and through this speak of mankind and the wealth that peaceful cohabitation creates.
Monkey Bird Crew is a duo of French contemporary artists. They were both born in Bordeaux and have been working together since 2010. They are known for using symbolic anthropomorphism in their artworks—depicting wild animals in urban areas. They work in stencil, collages, spray painting, drawing, carving, silkscreen, and engraving.
The duo consists of Blow (the bird) and Temor (the bonkey), and they incarnate the two faces of humankind, the monkey being the realist, and the bird being a dreamer. The two members have worked with graphic design and industrial design, and they are inspired by ephemeral monumentality, religious paintings and the art nouveau.
Before they started working on the walls of museums and institutions, both artists worked on the street, which is where they first met. One of them was looking for a change in his graffiti style and the other a change in framework and identity. The symbols came to them subconsciously and naturally, giving their approach an intellectual note, unlike the early works, which primarily were instinctual. Monkey Bird Crew loves working on antique doors, dilapidated walls, abandoned and industrial buildings.
Their mission is to transcribe social themes into walls, through use of animal totems and elaborate symbolism. Most of their inspiration comes from sacred or lyrical works like stained glass, the architectural ornamentation seen in the illustrations of the “Arts and Crafts” magazine or Japanese prints.
Ever since they started working together in 2010, Monkey Bird Crew has left their mark all around the world.
This mural has been supported by:
Kronprins Frederiks og Kronprinsesse Marys Fond, Knud Højgaards Fond, Stibo-Fonden, Spar Nord Fonden, Per og Lise Aarsleffs Fond, Axel Muusfeldts Fond, Reisby Fonden, C.A.C. Fonden, Vilhelm Kiers Fond, Hotel Atlantic, Sparekassen Kronjylland, Loxam, Flügger, Aarhus Kommune - Kultur og Borgerservice.