Belgrade’s city center is receiving subtle yet striking art touches that a keen-eyed passerby can spot on its streets. In addition to the vibrant parking posts decorated by French artist Le CyKlop, the Serbian capital has also inspired the anonymous French artist Ememem, renowned for a unique technique called “flacking.” This involves transforming cracks in pavements into beautiful mosaics, adding bursts of color and character to urban spaces. Let’s explore how Ememem has adorned Belgrade’s streets and discover the exact locations to admire intricate work.
In August 2024, Ememem arrived in Belgrade, inspiring citizens to see their grey, worn-out pavements as canvases for remarkable artistic expression that sparks imagination and invites dialogue. The artist’s vibrant patches, “healing” damaged pavements, reveal the beauty in imperfections, transforming everyday flaws into captivating works of art.
Ememem’s style is reminiscent of traditional Japanese kintsugi, the art of repairing broken objects with golden seams to make them even more beautiful. Street beautification becomes a way to showcase the charm found in imperfections and damage.
“Flacking,” a term Ememem coined, describes this unique art form—a creative approach to mending urban spaces in an artistic and aesthetic way. Through “patching,” Ememem highlights the scars of urban landscapes, creating compositions that break the monotony of grey concrete and asphalt.
As you stroll through Belgrade’s city center, keep an eye on the pavements—you might spot some of these unexpected floor mosaics. The first one can be found just across from Republic Square on Francuska Street, beside the National Theatre. Others are located at the corner of Braće Jugovića and Dobračina streets, in front of 16 Dobračina Street, and on Cetinjska Street near No. 15, where it sits alongside parking posts painted by Le CyKlop, inspired by traditional Pirot kilims.
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