Development of Youth

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…

This gives you a better definition about what CRP stand for. They are all about murals and with this being a historical piece of art this is a great story to share with you. There is a lot of meaning behind this mural. It tells the story of indigenous people and European historical experiences. The Orozco Room in Baker-Berry Library, which houses one of Dartmouth’s greatest treasures, José Clemente Orozco’s major mural cycle The Epic of American Civilization, has reopened…

The people of Cairo’s response to the whitewashing of murals and writing created during Egypt’s revolution has been very telling about the role of art in uprising. For the newly empowered authorities, the upheaval is over and there is a need to return to “order.” The people’s reaction has been far different. They want the revolutionary artwork there to inspire them and they will not allow that history to be erased. Contrast this to London’s response to MEAR ONE’s controversial…

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…