“Let people discover what lies behind the patterns”

“I have always had a passion for art, especially for art that is accessible to everyone, i.e. on the street,” says Diogo Machado. Tips visited him when he was completing his work in the Promenaden Galerien, the headquarters of Wimmer Medien mit Tips. After spending some time in Munich, the graphic designer returned to his homeland, where he realized how deeply rooted he was in the tile art of Portugal. He decided to devote himself entirely to art.

Old art reinterpreted

“I incorporated my drawing style into the aesthetics of tile art.” After learning all the different techniques, he quickly felt that he had to bring this old street art back to the streets. “Ultimately, tiles have always been part of the street art universe, since the 17th century in Portugal, Spain, and Italy.” His art is a reinterpretation of something that has existed for a long time.

The one behind his trademark ADD FUEL: “It’s a bit teasing: I try to ignite something in the art world through my art, by adding fuel in a certain way, making something brighter, more visible, more noticeable.”

From Cathedral to Bruckner Nose

His latest work in the Promenaden Galerien features various patterns, specially designed for Linz. They are visually and graphically based on many of Linz’s peculiarities – interpreted in ADD FUEL’s way. To get inspiration, the artist also visited Linz in July last year. If you look closely, you will discover the facade of the Mariendom Cathedral, for example. The Danube is interpreted as it flows through the city. There is an allusion to the Botanical Garden, as well as Anton Bruckner’s profile developing into a pattern, or the Linzer Torte – which Diogo Machado particularly enjoys. Three-dimensional tiles are also incorporated. Viewed from a distance, these become letters that add up to “Linz”.

“All my work is about letting people discover what is hidden behind the patterns. Small details from Linz become a whole.”

Three works are combined into one

In total, three works of art were created in the galleries: a large monochrome light element in light grey, which can be seen when looking at the underside of the bridge in the middle of the Promenade galleries, followed by a smaller element on the way into the courtyard, which leads to the main work at the Herrenstrasse/courtyard entrance. “This creates a kind of tension, connects and creates a path,” explains the artist. “It’s simply about creating small pieces to form a puzzle that will hopefully end up being a work of art that people will appreciate.”

Art for the public

ADD FUEL’s work is not the first in the Promenaden galleries. Urban art stars ARYZ, PichiAvo and Martin Whatson have already designed large-scale walls. The sought-after artists came to Linz on the initiative of Paolo Cuturi, managing director of Wimmer Immobilien, and with the support of art-loving sponsors. “We want to show the public good contemporary urban art here piece by piece, but in an unobtrusive way,” says Cuturi. “Anyone who wants to can take a look.”

Accompanying exhibition

A photo exhibition with international works by ADD FUEL can be seen in the Promenaden Galleries.