Klaus Paier - the Aachen muralist

From 1978 to 1987, Klaus Paier was out and about in Aachen, illegally painting his text-picture works on concrete walls and walls in Aachen's city center, on the grounds of the RWTH and on squats. Paier deliberately chose themes and places in public spaces that were intended to provoke thought, themes that are still highly topical today: housing speculation, armaments policy, nuclear power, homophobia and the problems of the education system.

His painting style was angular, edgy, screaming and aggressive. The angularity allowed him to paint faster, which was especially important at night.

My wife and I photographed a large part of his murals at the time. Together with a few pictures from the Internet, I have put together a photographic presentation, which also includes a short film in which Klaus Paier talks about his work.

Almost all of his artworks no longer exist due to destruction, overpainting, decay or structural alterations. Unfortunately, Klaus Paier, a pioneer of modern street art, died in Cologne in 2009 and did not live to see his paintings honored, as three of his artworks have since been listed as historical monuments in Aachen.

No registration is required for the lecture.