Koloreka: a place for creating memories and escaping from the routine
Koloreka: a place for creating memories and escaping from the routine
In 2013, Nerea Urrestarazu and Ramón Anaya transformed an old butcher’s shop in the Old Quarter of San Sebastián into Koloreka, a space that gives one the opportunity to create memories to escape from routines. At Koloreka –a binomial name made up of kolorea and oreka: “color” and “balance” in Basque– they sell illustrations linked to San Sebastián that portray everyday life in a contemporary, close style. Their motivation was, and continues to be, to offer memories; memories that will travel and take on a second life in their new homes.
Following the philosophy of “less is more,” they tell simple stories through stylistic austerity – all the while without losing warmth and proximity. In each composition, they let themselves be influenced and guided by screen printing, photography, painting, etc. and, although they use digital tools, the basic foundations that give meaning to their work remain analog: observation and inspiration.
Although the majority of their pieces aim to illustrate San Sebastián and its daily life, they also do limited series dedicated to other themes. Begimugan, for example, illustrates different places in the world connected in a straight line by sea with San Sebastián: Bayonne, Plogoff, Isortoq, Palm Beach, and Newfoundland. Mudamuga is an exclusive series in which they offer us a game in which, through 10 questions, they are able to transform our home into a unique and imaginary landscape.
Although most of their designs are reproduced on watercolor paper, they also make limited series on wood and fabric in different sizes. Additionally, they undertake special custom projects for companies: San Sebastián Tourism, San Sebastián Racecourse, Ulma, The Regional Government of Gipuzkoa, etc.
Twice a year, Koloreka welcomes guest artists to exhibit their work in its space – but not just anywhere… in the smallest exhibition hall in the city: the butcher’s fridge. Every February and November, the 5 m2 of that refrigerator are used to exhibit pieces by local artists: Ane Zaldibar, Laura 10m, Maite Rosende, etc. By doing this, Koloreka hopes that their “refrigeration chamber is like Walt Disney’s: conserving taste, talent, and a desire to share what makes one tick.”
Koloreka
Calle San Jerónimo 19, San Sebastián.
Tel.: +34 943 434 858
