We’ve seen a lot of incredible tape artists here at Pro Tapes. But we don’t often see a large group of artists dedicated just to perfecting the craft of tape art. Well, that’s exactly what TAPE OVER is! Today we interview Robert, co-founder of artist collective TAPE OVER.
TAPE OVER is one of the largest artist collectives dedicated to tape art. This international crew of artists has created countless mind-blowing indoor and outdoor tape installations and murals, with an incredibly wide range of styles and approaches.
TAPE OVER has created artwork for big brands like Adidas, Converse, Mercedes, Absolut Vodka, and more.
Dive in and get to know TAPE OVER, and how they use Pro Tapes® products in their incredible tape art installations.
Check our TapeOver’s website and social media:
- Website: www.tapeover.berlin
- Instagram: @tapeoverberlin
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/tapeoverberlin
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TAPEOVER
Tell us about yourself (and LaMia!) How long have you been making art, and tape art specifically?
TAPE OVER was founded in 2010-2011 by LaMia Michna and myself (Robert König.) LaMia was studying communication design at the time, and I was doing creative marketing and conceptual art.
LaMia started doing tape art as one of her study projects. She did tape art directly on the streets of Berlin. I fell in love with her and with the aesthetics of this art form. To be honest, it was one of those rare and magical encounters in life where you meet someone very special and decide to be together and create together.
At that time, the term “tape art” didn’t exist…. There was only one graffiti artist called BUFF DISS who lived in Berlin at that time who started using tape instead of spray paint. He was our inspiration. It took about 10 years for this new art form to establish itself, although it has to be said that tape art is still a niche art form.
How did the TAPE OVER artist collective get started?
LaMia and I started TAPE OVER as an artist duo making tape art in Berlin’s subcultural techno clubs. It was just a fun project that made us happy. It was also nice to contribute something to this creative and lively club scene.
After about 1.5 years, we were recommended by a friend to Mercedes Benz to do a tape art concept for the presentation of their new concept car in Berlin’s abandoned Tempelhof airport.
About 3 months later, we did another big project with Telekom at the IFA trade fair. After that, LaMia and I decided to dedicate ourselves fully to this project and started building the TAPE OVER brand.
It took another 2-3 years until we could actually make a living from tape art, mainly doing commissioned work and creative concepts.
As our projects got bigger, we asked others to help us execute our concepts (Editor’s Note: like Fabio de Saldanha, who we’ve also interviewed.) This was the starting point for the creation of a crew under the brand TAPE OVER.
How did you discover Pro Tapes®?
I discovered Pro Tapes® when I was looking for fluorescent neon tapes. We’ve come to believe that Pro Tapes® adhesive tape products are the best on the market.
What are your favorite Pro Tapes® products? What do you like about them?
My favorite products from Pro Tapes® are both the Pro® Artist Tape and the Pro® Pocket Spike Stack Fluorescent.
What I like about the Pro® Artist Tape is the texture and the very beautiful colors. It is easy to tear off, which makes it very easy and smooth to work with. But it’s also a very strong paper tape and very durable,
which is really great. Other crepe tapes just don’t have this high quality look and feel.
I also love the Pro® Pocket Spike Stack in fluorescent colors because you can carry it around in your pocket and make quick little pieces of tape art anywhere. For me, it’s the perfect street art tape because it has 5 bright and bold colors.
Tell us about the artwork you created for UpFest 2022. What inspired you?
For UpFest 2022 – Europe’s biggest street art festival – I created a tape art portrait of Andy Warhol. He and Jean-Michel Basquiat are two of my artistic idols.
Andy Warhol is so inspiring to me because he was both a designer and an artist. He was the first to put everyday objects into an artistic context. Also, his conceptual way of thinking and creating is something quite unique.
Watch the UpFest 2022 recap:
In my eyes, Andy Warhol was a pioneer because he tried to bring street art or urban art into the rather conservative art world. Also, he was not only an artist, but also a supporter and patron of other artists…. such as Jean-Michel Basquiat!
What’s next for you and TAPE OVER? Any upcoming projects or long-term plans?
At the moment, LaMia is on sabbatical and traveling around South America, while I am doing some very interesting projects in Paris and Stockholm. During the summer, me and some of my team members will participate in different street art festivals all over Europe.
Do you have any advice for people that are interested in making tape art for the first time?
My advice is to just try it!
There is really no better material than tape to start with a blank canvas or a blank wall, because if you don’t like what you’ve just done, you just take the piece of tape off and put it in another place.
You don’t have to worry at all because you can always change it back. So it’s rather about the process than doing it right. It’s really encouraging and fun.
