A vibrant transformation is taking place in one of Remscheid's most neglected urban spaces, as professional graffiti artist René Schneider works to convert the dreary Angel Passage into an 882-square-foot masterpiece. The 40-year-old spray painter is creating a colorful artwork that attracts passersby like moths to light, turning what was once considered an eyesore into a bright, welcoming space that residents can watch evolve daily.
Schneider, who operates under the company Unikat-Colors, explains that many people stop to talk with him during his work, especially during morning and afternoon hours when commuters use the connecting path from Alleestraße to Ebert Square to catch their buses. "Many people think it's really good and are happy about it," he says. "I never thought there would be so much activity here."
The unique artwork grows piece by piece each day, progressing from back to front. The angel figure is already complete, along with an "I love RS" heart design, and Schneider is currently working on a three-dimensional X and a tribute to Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, before immortalizing the new Ebert Square on the final section of wall. Those who look closely can discover even more hidden details throughout the piece.
However, the project faces significant challenges due to current weather conditions. When temperatures drop too low or humidity levels rise too high, the graffiti artist cannot work properly – both conditions that Remscheid is currently experiencing, with snow also in the forecast. Schneider can work in temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius, but he admits, "I hope everything still works out." The professional artist has even pre-warmed his spray cans on a heater to ensure proper application.
The technical demands of the work are considerable. While music like Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" plays in the background from the nearby 5th Avenue establishment, Schneider climbs his ladder as people continuously pass through the passage. The challenge involves applying consistent pressure on the spray nozzle, maintaining the correct angle and distance, using steady hand movements without overdoing it, and avoiding falls from the ladder – which has already collapsed on him once during the project.
The artistic process began after the wall was first insulated and primed by a painter. Schneider then transferred his computer-designed motif onto the wall before beginning the spray work. The ideas for the motifs came from his own creativity, which convinced the city of Remscheid during their public artist competition. Notably, all the motifs were designed using artificial intelligence, a tool Schneider embraces enthusiastically. "It helps me tremendously," he explains.
The city's investment of €10,000 in this beautification project serves multiple purposes: creating a positive association with the location, making it more friendly and welcoming, and increasing the sense of security in this area. As part of the comprehensive improvement, the ceiling has already been painted blue, with new lighting planned as the next step in the transformation.
Despite the positive reception, concerns about vandalism have emerged. "Hopefully the graffiti won't be destroyed or painted over," says Francesco Lo Pinto, chairman of the downtown Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Lo Pinto had previously advocated for beautifying the Angel Passage and criticized the location as a security concern. While he's pleased about the current graffiti project and the improvement it brings to the city center, he immediately thinks about the destructive tendencies that sometimes plague the city.
Schneider could apply a protective coating to preserve the wall artwork, but this would incur additional costs. "This special protective paint is expensive. I've already suggested it to the city," says the professional artist. According to city planner Andreas Huth, Remscheid officials are still considering this option, though they don't envision preservation lasting for decades.
The uncertainty about long-term preservation relates to broader urban development plans. The city recently purchased the former Metropol Cinema and is planning something entirely new for the area. "We want to have the building demolished to create a passage to Friedrich-Ebert Square," announced Building Commissioner Peter Heinze shortly after the cinema purchase. This would allow pedestrians from the newly designed bus terminal to reach the pedestrian zone without detours in the future – hopefully strengthening the area through all these improvements.
The project represents a broader trend in urban revitalization, where cities invest in public art to transform neglected spaces into community assets. As Schneider continues his work despite weather challenges, the Angel Passage serves as a daily reminder of how art can breathe new life into forgotten corners of the urban landscape, even as questions remain about its long-term future in the face of ongoing city development plans.
