Community Mural

It’s hard to tell if this is truly a victory or not. The ordinance that passed includes strange provisions such as murals can not be painted on buildings with less than two units. So single residence homes cannot have mural on them? Why not? It has yet to be determined if the final ordinance had a permit process. CRP has repeatedly argued that permit processes are too restrictive and limit the creativity of the community. Still CRP is cautiously optimistic…

Last week, CRP covered the story of MEAR ONE’s controversial new mural in London, Freedom for Humanity. This week, we are sad to report that Tower Hamlets council is seriously considering erasing the new piece. Notice that, in the original story, the mural has now been labelled as “Anti-Semetic” in large letter, while MEAR’s response that the piece is about class and privilege is at least 3 times smaller. Nowhere in the conversation are class or privilege mentioned. It is…

This story is important to anyone getting involved in public art and murals. On one level, it documents the process, including the bureaucracy and committees, that take place when a city decides to move forward with a public art initiative. The story also demonstrates the deep impact of “street art.” Ann Arbor is far from Miami and Art Basel but its city planners and public art commissioners have taken notice, including the use of the terms “street art” in its…

The Community Rejuvenation Project is alway on the look for innovative new processes for mural-making and powerful new methods to express our message. Century’s new glass mural is an example of a creative concept that incorporates techniques that CRP has been studying such as layering. As we continue to research and develop our own approaches, we want to bring you the other fresh ideas that artists are applying!   Century College instructors Neil Johnston and John Kothera designed the new…

The power of public art and particularly the aerosol tradition has been its ability to spark dialogue. This piece by MEARone is an excellent example of how strong a piece can impact and community. MEAR’s story of his interactions with the community tells an insightful tale of his experience painting a mural that sparks such a conversation with neighborhood residents. The response to the mural is also equally telling. A business website posted several articles accusing MEAR of being anti-Semitic and…

Can it be possible? Did Clear Channel, the advertising corporate giant and media homogenizer, really contact the LA Freewalls Project and offer up several of its billboards to artists? It must be a tax write-off or something. Or a publicity stunt to improve their despicable image. Regardless, Clear Channel isn’t going anywhere without a swift kick from the public and the war on advertising space continues.  CRP has long pointed out how hypocritical the gluttony of advertisement in comparison to…