Open-Air Museum in Castellón
In the early 1980s, the city of Castellón faced an urban challenge stemming from the quick construction of high-rise buildings, which left party walls and exposed side elevations standing alongside traditional lower houses. To enhance these blank surfaces, the City Council launched a cultural initiative in 1983, aiming to paint large contemporary murals on these walls.
This gave rise to Castellón’s Open-Air Museum: a series of large-scale murals in the city centre, created through an open competition for prominent local artists. Eleven works were produced in the centre, although only seven remain today, as others were covered by new buildings or later refurbishments.
KEIM Granital mineral paint used on a street art
The first photograph shows the mural “Construcción creciente” by artist Luis Prades Perona. Dating from the project’s first year, it uses broad blocks of colour (blues, reds and ochres) to form interlocking volumes, as if they were bodies or structures in the process of growth.
The mural “Las niñas y los niños de Castelló, a todos los niños y niñas del mundo”, shown in the second photograph, is by Juan García Ripollés and is one of the most emblematic pieces. It presents a grand stage of childlike figures, symbolic characters, stars and near-circus scenes.
The third photograph features a mural in Plaza de la Paz, signed by Celis. It is a “movement” mural, built around long curves, layered planes and a pastel palette, with blues and pinks shaping a contemporary composition.
The mural “Máquinas arrepentidas o El lenguaje de las flores”, shown in the fourth photograph, is signed by Tasio. Here we see lorries and machinery “manufacturing” trees: a clear metaphor for the desire for urban and industrial progress to be reconciled with nature.
The next photograph corresponds to a mural by Sebastián Planchadell. It is one of the most distinctive works, depicting an interior scene with a chequered floor, a table, flowers, and a balcony opening out onto the horizon.
The final photograph we share is titled “Transformación” by Juan García Ripollés. This mural is a statement of values, featuring a human figure connected to elements of both countryside and city, with the presence of a dove—symbol of peace.
At KEIM, we are proud to see how our KEIM Granital silicate mineral paint has helped to create Castellón’s Open-Air Museum, turning an urban planning issue into a cultural opportunity.
This is especially significant because these murals were the seed from which our company began. KEIM silicate paints combine outstanding durability, colour stability and respect for the environment, thanks to their mineral formulation and chemical bond with the substrate. This makes them ideal for murals such as these to remain unchanged for decades.
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Location: Castellón
Paint: KEIM Granital
