hARTberg walk - LAUREN YS

Greetings from Krampus

Ever since i have known @nychos he has been telling me about the winter celebrations in his hometown of Hartberg, where they still observe Krampusnacht, a pagan winter ritual centered around the legend of the Krampus. Krampus is a fearsome creature with cloven hooves, dark fur, and ominous horns, who emerges from the shadows to terrorize the naughty children of the world. 

Krampus was seen as the antithesis of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus). While St. Nicholas rewards good children with presents, Krampus metes out punishment to those who have misbehaved, using chains or tree branches and clanging bells in the winter night. The name “Krampus” is derived from the Old High German word “krampen,” which means “claw.” 

December 5th became known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. On this night, adults will dress as Krampus and roam the streets, terrifying children. The following day, December 6th is celebrated as St. Nicholas Day, when good children receive gifts and sweets. Anyway, I love any rituals that blur the line between mythology and reality, so you know I had to do a Krampus piece. 

This piece aims to capture the dichotomy between good and evil, light and dark evident in this ancient celebration, and the enduring power of folklore in the alpine region. I loved images like this as a kid- they taught me that things that inspire fear are often just a mask, and can host beautiful things inside if we choose to look closer. Huge thanks to Didi, Cora and family for welcoming me and my artwork! Little did I know the building owner sponsors a local Krampus troupe who were awesome enough to bring some of their masks (which are super cool, handmade) for me to play with @ringkogelpass.hartberg 

Can’t thank @nychos @rabbiteyemovement_official @hartbergerland @montanacans and family enough for such a fun time, my mom for helping out, such and epic crew of artists and a beautiful town. Hope to be back someday for Krampusnacht proper!
#krampus #laurenys #rabbiteyemovement

Artist bio:

Lauren YS is a Los Angeles-based artist whose work is influenced by multiple stages of focus,
both geographically and in practice. Carrying a B.A. in English and Fine Art from Stanford
University, Lauren applies their dynamic bouts in academics, literature, illustration,comics and
animation to their role the urban art sphere as a queer Asian-American femme with a deep passion
for visual storytelling. Their signature style of high-chroma design elements interwoven with
dynamic portraiture creates lush, florid pictorial portals to worlds that are as just as they are
visually captivating. Lauren’s work seeks to bring an element of the fantastical and narrative
fluidity to the dignity of their characters’ person-hoods, with a specific passion for creating space
for queer and BIPOC stories. From large scale murals to multi-layered works on canvas, Lauren’s
work draws inspiration from queer worlds, non-binary identities, mythology, dreams, psychedelia,
animation, cybernetic organisms, travel, nature, human dignity, metaphysical wonderings and their
mixed Asian-American heritage. Lauren’s vision encapsulates the lifetime search for identity and
self-hood, a love of local myth, and the constant pursuit of promoting anti-racism and just futures.