Rebobinart Announces the Closure of WALLSPOT

The pioneering project for managing legal urban art walls ends after 12 years of global impact

After 12 years of promoting urban art and offering legal alternatives for artistic expression in public spaces, Rebobinart has decided to close WALLSPOT, the wall management platform that started in Barcelona and expanded to more than 22 cities worldwide. WALLSPOT will cease operations at the end of September 2024, leaving behind a significant legacy in the revitalization of urban art.

A Transformative Journey: From Murs Lliures to WALLSPOT

WALLSPOT was born in October 2012 under the name Murs Lliures in response to Barcelona’s civic regulations that prohibited painting in public spaces. The initiative began as a pilot project on the walls of Tres Xemeneies Park in the Sants-Montjuïc district, and after six successful months, it expanded to other districts of the city. In 2017, the project evolved into WALLSPOT, adapting to the growing demand from artists in other cities and expanding its features to facilitate the connection and mobility of artists internationally.

Over the course of its history, WALLSPOT managed more than 106 open walls in 22 cities, with a total of 33,000 artistic interventions and 22,000 registered users. The platform became a vital catalyst for urban art in Barcelona, allowing local and visiting artists to legally express themselves and continuously develop their skills in a safe environment.

Impact and Recognition

WALLSPOT received multiple awards for its contribution to urban culture, including the Bdigital Congress Award for the Murs Lliures project in 2012, Barcelona Activa’s Social Entrepreneurship Award in 2015, the Premi de Civisme from the Generalitat de Catalunya in 2018, and the Best Innovative Social Tech Entrepreneurship Initiative grant from the Barcelona Metropolitan Area in 2019. In 2022, it was recognized by the Ministry of Culture as one of the best projects in the cultural and creative industries category.

The platform not only facilitated artistic expression but also fostered the creation of a dynamic community. Through activities and events organized by Rebobinart, artists were able to connect, collaborate, and share their visions, strengthening the urban art scene in Barcelona and beyond.

Challenges and Controversies

WALLSPOT’s journey was not without challenges. In February 2021, the Barcelona City Council erased a mural by artist Roc Black Roc in a collective action related to Pablo Hasel, sparking controversy within the artistic community. Additionally, iconic walls like those in Tres Xemeneies Park faced issues of vandalism, deterioration, and disputes over management, reflecting the complexities of maintaining open public spaces for free expression.

Reasons for the Closure

The closure of WALLSPOT stems from a series of strategic and economic factors. In April 2023, the Barcelona City Council launched its own platform, Murs Oberts, which, while expanding the availability of legal walls, did not maintain the same level of exposure and artist follow-up that WALLSPOT offered. Furthermore, Rebobinart’s platform had been financed for years by grants from various administrations, but the technological costs of maintaining a platform of this size became unsustainable.

The private and altruistic management of the walls by Rebobinart in Barcelona also created situations of vulnerability to potential criticism or complaints, leading to an uncomfortable dynamic with the Barcelona City Council regarding the management of legal spaces. Additionally, Spain’s trend toward commissioned murals and festivals aligned with local policies relegated legal walls to a secondary role, limiting their long-term appeal and viability.

Acknowledgements and the Future

Rebobinart extends its deepest thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey: to Pau Garcia for opening the door to this adventure, developers Hernán and Ferran from Brothapps.com for driving the technological platform, and Roger Pous, sociologist and co-founder of Rebobinart, who helped lay the foundation for the project. Special thanks to Xavier Trias, who supported a risky but necessary initiative, and to all the artists who have painted the walls, reclaiming public space as a place for free expression. Finally, Rebobinart recognizes the unwavering support of Montana Colors and its founder, Jordi Rubio, whose backing of the sector has been essential.

Marc Garcia, director of Rebobinart, states: “The WALLSPOT project has been a pillar in promoting urban art in Barcelona and many other cities. It has allowed us to demonstrate that it is possible to integrate urban art into the social fabric in a positive and legal way. Although we are closing this chapter, we will continue exploring new ways to support and professionalize urban artists, keeping alive our commitment to creativity in public spaces.

We believe the future of urban art lies in adapting to the new challenges and opportunities offered by technology and current social dynamics. At Rebobinart, we will continue working to ensure that urban art is not only a tool for free and accessible expression but also a driver of cultural and social dynamism. We will explore new ways to integrate art into people’s daily lives and public spaces, always aiming to professionalize artists and dignify their work in an increasingly competitive and complex environment. The closure of WALLSPOT is not the end, but a transformation toward new ways of contributing to high-quality urban art and its impact on communities.”