1,510 Cans Of Spray Paint: Mural By Canadian Artist Adds Color To Hoboken Parking Garage

HOBOKEN, NJ — Finding parking in Hoboken makes everyone happy, and now the parking is colorful, too. This week, the city, along with the Hoboken Business Alliance and the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee, unveiled the "Technicolour" mural on the western façade of the city's Garage B, by world renowned artist Michelle Hoogveld.

Hoogveld completed "Technicolour," on Hudson Street between First Street and Second Street, in 15 days, the city said.

She used a crew of five muralists, two Elevated Work Platforms, and 1,510 cans of spray paint.

The Hoboken City Council approved the mural by resolution on Sept. 21, 2022.

For the past four years, the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee has scouted locations for public art
installations, said Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee Chair Jon Vesey.

The artwork is 60 feet tall and 225 feet wide.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Hoogveld is a Contemporary Visual Artist whose vibrant style is "inspired by color theory, connection, and matters of the heart," the city said.

"Michelle's beautiful artwork breathes new life into an overlooked block of space and is a terrific addition to our public art collection," said Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

"Immersed in a landscape of geometric shapes, the artwork explores the emotional resonance we have to colour and the ability to evoke feelings of happiness, joy, and genuine connection," said Hoogveld. "Layers overlap and come together in an expressive gradient of abstraction and form, uniting who we are within our surroundings and one's beautiful capacity to love."

"When Mayor Bhalla created the committee in 2019, we surveyed the City for public art canvases and locations. The municipal garages were an obvious choice for public art but represented many hurdles," said Vesey. "When I became chair in 2022, I initiated talks with the Hoboken Business Alliance to pool our financial, professional, and organizational resources. Mayor Bhalla welcomed the cooperative arrangement between the two organizations ... We look forward to more exciting public art initiatives in 2023."

The mural was funded by the Hoboken Business Alliance and the City's Public Arts Program Bond, which was established by an executive order in 2018 that mandates 1 percent of all city bond ordinances fund public art projects.

"To say we gave Michelle a blank canvas is an understatement," said James Runkle, President of the Hoboken Business Alliance. "When we turned this project over to her, just weeks ago, this was a drab and unappealing sight. It was in no way a fitting welcome for those visitors and residents who use this area as a gateway into our city."

The Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) is a Special Improvement District established by the Hoboken City Council to improve the district's area and stimulate business in Hoboken. The HBA advocates for a safe, accessible and prosperous improvement district that attracts residents and visitors to shop, eat, play and stay in Hoboken.

More information on the Hoboken Business Alliance is available at: www.Hobokenbusinessalliance.com

The Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee acts as an advisory board to the Mayor and city Administration relating to all questions involving public art and the City of Hoboken Public Art Program. See: www.hobokennj.gov/municipal-boards/hoboken-arts-advisory-committee.