Client: ALBRIGHT KNOX MUSEUM

Overview

Tavar Zawacki was commissioned by the Albright Knox Museum to paint the largest project of their public art initiative. At the time of completion, ‘Metamorphosis #5’ was also the largest public art project Tavar had painted in his 20-year career. The dimensions of the 8-story building were 210 feet in length x 155 feet at the tallest point. (65-meter length x 48-meter height). Exterior, latex paint was used for the entire mural. Tavar had a team of 5 assistants that were provided by the Albright Knox Museum. The project duration was 16 consecutive days.

Goals

This was the most ambitious project for both Tavar and the Albright Knox Public Art initiative. The goal was to have Tavar paint his colorful and signature style of upward pointing, positive, arrow icon in a part of Buffalo, New York that was lacking energy.

Process

Albright Knox Museum had been discussing with Tavar the logistics of the project for about 18 months before he arrived in Buffalo, New York. Once this project was confirmed, Tavar flew from Berlin, Germany to start this ambitious project. First was the nighttime projection of Tavar's design onto the building. Tavar had a crew of 5 other assistants who were helping, trace the lines as well as paint during the entire 16 days of production. Once the design was marked on the wall, Tavar and his team applied exterior latex paint using rollers.

Additional Information

At the time of completing, Metamorphosis #5, this was the largest production of both Tavar's career, as well as the public art initiative of Albright Knox Museum. The completion of, Metamorphosis #5 gained local press as 4 different news channels were broadcasting live for the ribbon cutting.