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Pilsen and the Art in Public Spaces Initiative

CRP has been taking a close look at Danny Solis’ initiative, Art in Public Spaces. This program has all the makings of a good idea. It is an an antivandalism initiative that’s intended to control and limit defacement of public property. It points out the former Mayor, Richard J. Daley, spent millions of dollars on costly and ineffective Graffiti Blasters. However, CRP has two concerns. First, it appears, according to this article, that Solis has only spent $13,000, which brings up…

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Community Choses Mural over Anti-Graffiti Coating

The Shawmont Valley Association made an intelligent step forward when they chose not to cover a retaining wall with anti-graffiti coating. The community decided that a Mural would be the best long-term solution to their problems with ongoing vandalism. Indeed anti-graffiti coating doesn’t make a wall look any better and hasn’t proven to be an adequate deterrent despite all of the hype around it. Murals promote community engagement, help decorate and empower a community and improve the look of unsightly…

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Yakima Graffiti Abatement Proves the History will Repeat Itself

This story illustrates the average graffiti abatement initiative, in this case in Yakima WA. It includes a combination of criminalizing the youth, penalizing the property owner, and not engaging the community. Once again, community murals are left out of the equation, in favor of repeatedly painting out vandalism over and over again. Graffiti abatement is big business that is increasingly being privatized. We see that “tough on graffiti” initiatives can appear to have impact immediately often fall off like an…

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MEAR ONE’s London Mural Vandalized in Attempt to Censor Him

This article is both an update and also includes the backstory on the neighborhood where the mural was painted. Its clear that this mural has been vilified and attacked for striking a nerve. The question remains if that nerve is a historical bias against Jewish people or the mere mention of the power elites. The questions of anti-semiticism have drowned out any dialogue about the global banks, class and the plutocracy. Despite the mural’s vandalism, it has opened up a…

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Pilsen Muralists Fight Gentrification

The Pilsen neighborhood has been a center for the Mexican community in Chicago and a haven for historical mexican murals for decades. It is home to the Mexican Museum and numerous other historical landmarks. Yet as the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) continues its land grab for property south of its campus, Pilsen has been in the direct line of fire for a massive gentrification. With the influx of yuppies and college students, much of the history and many…

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Duncan Mural to be Destroyed – Bureaucracy Defeats Art

CRP has been following the controversy in Duncan closely as you can see from past articles. Duncan has become the victim of dull bureaucracy overwhelming visionary creativity. Duncan officials have decided to paint over a mural called “community” despite receiving a petition signed by 1,200 people for the mural to stay up. The logic behind the destruction was that property owner did not get a permit from the city prior to beginning the mural. One would think that the swell…

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Union Pacific Destroys Bridge Mural in Austin

Union Pacific has a long history of using its vast network of attorneys on retainer to avoid responsibility for its property. Its is an obscenely powerful company focused on its bottom line. Yet its latest heavy-handed attack on the citizens of Austin boggles the mind. UP painted out the mural depicted below because it was repairing the bridge where the mural was. Why does the exterior of a bridge that already has a mural need to be painted ugly brown?…

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Former City Councilman Supports Unsanctioned Duncan Mural

Duncan policies should encourage artistic expression By Paul Fletcher – Cowichan News Leader Pictorial I can’t help but wade into the community mural controversy. It is just too attractive to pass up, especially since the mural proponents have put Duncan city council against the wall, essentially forcing them to condemn the mural, its creator and the voice behind the mural. Now council is so fired up, they will likely order the mural removed. Anarchy just cannot be tolerated in the…

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The Duncan Debate: Process vs. Painting

Monday, October 15, 2012 – 2:38 PM By Natasha Riebe Cowichan Valley The controversy on graffiti in Duncan is expected to continue Monday night when a contingent of people from the Duncan Garage and neighbouring groups present a petition at City Hall. Council is also expected to discuss whether the word ‘community’, painted in big pink and purple letters between the Garage and the Phoenix Pub on Duncan St., should be painted over. At least four councillors believe it should…

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Race of Woman in Arkadelphia Mural uncovers Racism in the Community

Here is a story that demonstrates some of the issues that can arise when a mural touches a deeper seeded issue in the community. Some community residents got offended when the central image in an Arkadelphia mural was “too dark-skinned” for them. Some people working with the artist even suggested that he should “lighten her hue.” This is despite the fact that Arkadelphia has a large African American population. We are happy to report that the artists are holding firm…

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