Shipping containers are among the most common shipping vessels globally, with millions of them being used to transport goods across the world. However, in recent years, shipping containers are increasingly being used as canvases for remarkable art projects. Shipping container art is a form of street art that involves repurposing old containers to create unique pieces of art. These containers offer an excellent platform for artists to showcase their creativity, and the results are often breathtaking.
The birth of shipping container art
Shipping container art originated in the 1960s when artists started repurposing these containers to create functional and habitable spaces. As time went by, the containers started being used as an artistic medium. The first notable shipping container art was created by American artist Robert Rauschenberg. In 1970, he created a work of art called “Soundings.” He stacked three 40-foot containers, painting them in bright colors on the outside and installing an elaborate sound system inside. The music played within the containers and could be heard from hundreds of feet away. This art project set the pace for other artists globally who started exploring the use of shipping containers as an art medium.
Today, shipping container art has gained popularity and recognition worldwide. Artists use them to create permanent and temporary artworks in public spaces like city parks, schools, museums, and malls. Shipping container art stimulates the viewer’s curiosity and imagination while transforming urban landscapes.
Types of Container Art
Shipping Container art comes in different forms and styles, ranging from large murals painted on the outside of the container to sculptures made from multiple containers. A few of the most common types of container art include:
• Murals: These are painted on the exterior of the container using vibrant colors and bold designs to create a statement piece. Murals have been known to cover an entire container, transforming it into an eye-catching work of art.
• Cut-out designs: These are designs that are carved out of the container’s metal exterior. This style plays with natural light, casting unique shapes and shadows.
• Three-Dimensional Art: An artist can use multiple containers to craft intricate sculptures that create an optical illusion once observed from different angles.
Advantages of shipping containers as an art medium
The use of shipping containers for art creates several advantages. First, it is eco-friendly since it involves recycling unused containers rather than sending them to landfills. Secondly, the containers are highly versatile since they can be stacked, interlocked, and refurbished for various projects. Thirdly, they can be easily transported, allowing artists to exhibit their work in different parts of the world.
Notable shipping container art around the world
Container art is gradually becoming a global phenomenon and can be found in every corner of the world. Some of the most notable include:
• “Container Love” installation, Hamburg, Germany – This installation consists of 17 upcycled shipping containers that have been transformed into miniature apartments. The installation is a perfect demonstration of how shipping containers can be used to create modern and affordable housing.
• “Color-In” mural, Pittsburgh, USA – Artist Jeremy Raymer transformed a shipping container into a vibrant art piece that is both playful and engaging. The mural invites the public to participate by coloring in part of the painting using chalk.
• “Container City,” London, UK – Container city is a unique housing complex made entirely of shipping containers. The housing complex consists of 80 modular units spread over several floors, creating affordable and sustainable homes for families.
Conclusion
The creativity behind shipping container art is impressive and inspiring. Artists worldwide are using shipping containers to create extraordinary works of art that can be easily transported and exhibited in different locations. Shipping containers offer a convenient and eco-friendly way of repurposing old shipping containers that would otherwise end up in landfills. These containers give artists the freedom to showcase their creativity in public spaces while transforming urban landscapes. Overall, shipping container art is a testament to the power of imagination and what can be achieved when we think outside the box.