The celebrated but now ruinous Arnau Theater in Barcelona sits patiently awaiting to be revived. Once an effervescent center of spectacle and entertainment the theater opened its doors in 1894 and through various mutations including a place to go to the “talkies” and a variety program hosted by the then famous actress Sara Montiel closed its doors in 2004. The theater is now the property of the municipality and with that it has a very good chance to see the light of day again.

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

As it’s often the case the revitalization of our city centers or downtown falls on the hands of the artists and the creative sort. Once an artist has set his or her eyes on a crumbling piece of real state or on a neglected part of town it’s almost unavoidable for these artists to ignore what they see. That’s precisely what Arnau Gallery is. Not a gallery in the traditional white walls cube but and open door wall, Arnau Gallery is a canvas, an opportunity for artists to paint commissioned work under the guidance of Street Art Barcelona and Difusor.

The wall sits at street level close to the pedestrians and is part of the edifice that bears the theater’s name. The curators have a rotating schedule of local, national and international artists who are invited to experiment, paint and create on the wall. The project has as its main supporter Platform to Save The Arnau Theater the organization leading the fight to keep Arnau Theater alive with the hopes that in the not so distant future the theater will re-open its doors.

In October the Moroccan born Spanish artist Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha, joined Barcelona native artist Emilio Cerezo to collaborate on this wall. Below are the results of their efforts.

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Mohamed Lghacham AKA Moha and Emilio Cerezo collaboration at Arnau Gallery in Barcelona. October 2017. (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

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