How do you bring an abandoned building to life? Just add a few new features.

Russian street artist Nikita Nomerz adds human faces to buildings that aren't being used anymore.

Nomerz (not his real name - he says it's "just a set of letters") is from the western Russian city of Nizhniy Novgorod, and he's travelled across the country beautifying structures like these, most of them in urban areas.

The artist told Global Street Art that he's not trying to invade the city with his work - he just wants to bring some inspiration to places that aren't being used for anything.

"I position myself as a creator," he said. "With my street art work, I fill the urban emptiness."

The works on this page are known collectively as 'The Living Wall'. Most of the buildings pictured are in out-of-the-way spots.

"I usually paint in abandoned places where there are few people: where I will not bother people, and where other people would not stop me," he says.

Technically, he's not allowed to alter the structures he's working on, but Nomerz says he hasn't encountered any real problems with police or other authorities.

And although he's only worked in Russian cities so far, he says he feels a connection with street artists the world over.

"All cities have their own characteristics, but there are also details that unite all street artists in the world," he told Global Street Art. "I think we all share an invisible bond."

You can see more of Nomerz's artwork on his blog.

Via Environmental Graffiti

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