OpenIDEO - How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? - Concepting

The Challenge

1372 followers

How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline?

Inspiration 894 inspirations

Concepting 329 concepts

Applause 329 final concepts

Refinement 20 final concepts

Evaluation 20 final concepts

Winning Concepts Announced!

Realisation Ongoing

previous

102 of 329 concepts

next

Concept
back to list

"Embellish the Ugly" City Contest

A city contest open to local artists and citizen to decorate and embellish electricity boxes, trash bins, and other "ugly" urban objects. (UPDATED!)

I was inspired by Ana Cecilia's spotted objects in Stockholm: colorful electricity boxes and trash bins. This concept could also include parking meters, newspaper boxes, public telephone booths, public toilets, bicycle racks, benches, or even storm drains (cf. Louis' example), etc. etc.

Very often, artists are looking for a space where they can express their creativity. If the space if public, it also benefits the local communities. This could be a win-win situation: The City can launch a contest and select proposals from local artists. The idea of having a selection of submissions is there to help the city make sure there's still a coherence in the overall look (or the city can choose to go crazy with very different styles on purpose!)

Embellishments

The idea is not only to decorate and paint them (e.g. by turning them into tiny skyscrapers or including some poetry), but maybe even repurpose those objects, or make more interesting things out of them (like The World's Deepest Trash Bin in The Fun Theory).

These decorations can be changed seasonally, using environmentally friendly paint and paint remover, to make easy seasonal changes (Thanks Johan!). We could even think of creating an "art promenade" for tourists to discover these elements (similar to the Local Lore Treasure Hunt concept), either in a low tech version (folding maps), or using GPS coordinates via a mobile phone app (maybe including an Audio Tour?), using existing technologies like http://beta.broadcastr.com/, http://historypin.com or http://tagwhat.com. It can also be crowdsourced (ThanksJohan).

We could also think of using these transformations as a way to bring awareness through art (cf. Camila's example in this Amnesty video).

In line with the broken windows theory, when an area looks nice, exciting, engaging, people want to live and work there - and to take care of it (cf. Charlotte's comment).

Implementation

-- Who?

We need to commit two sides:

Convincing City officials: "Government officials should be willing to commit as this is a low cost program and will serve to enhance neighborhoods attractiveness. I imagine targeting local government officials - city councilmen/women - would be the most effective. Getting the support of one city councilmen for their district should be fairly easy, especially if they are new and/or promoting local engagement/promotion. This is a unique opportunity to engage youth and artists... Getting high schools or colleges to participate. All of this is appealing to government officials who may be looking towards elections etc." (Thanks Charlotte!).
Local artists/citizen/school children participation: both as "artists", and as "object owners".

First of all, instead of only targeting local artists, why not open it up to all citizen, or specifically invite school children to participate as a class?
As per Szilvia's brilliant suggestion, we could take a P2P approach where people (like you an me) can submit an object they own and they'd like to be transformed (their mail box for example).

-- How?

For this we need some sort of platform (social media and/or website): For example, the selection process in the Stockholm CIty electricbox-competition was made on a web page: http://fortum.se/elskap (Thanks Johan!). But we can also think of a simpler way (e.g. using a Facebook group, and "likes" or comments as a way to count votes).

-- Where?

This idea could work in any city with public facilities that can be decorated. Examples from the OI community include Lisbon (Thanks Ana), Stockholm (Thanks Johan), East Oackland (Thanks Erica), Boston (Thanks Lindsay), Vermont, Barcelona (Thanks Ana and Johan), Chicago (Thanks Patrick), etc.

Financing

There are two main options we've uncovered so far:

Some sort of a grant / financial or material help once an artist's submission has been selected by the City. Costs can be low as the grants would merely need to cover the cost of the materials. Artists, particularly local, most likely will see their end products (and the time involved) as promotion and thus providing materials would be all that is needed.

CSR: As per Vincent's comment, in just realized the comments I made on Justus's City Painting concept, large companies like Dupont Coatings, Sherwin-William, Azko Nobel, etc. (making billions of dollars in annual revenue) might be interested in making in-kind sponsorship donations of paint & publicity to such projects. Not only would this serve as great CSR, but it'd be the perfect demonstration of their product's benefits: after all, incredible resources are being put into commercials like this one.

And what if?

In a P2P type of situation, can we imagine that the "object owners" are ready to pay (a little amount of money) or cover the materials costs for the "artists"?
In the case of a partnership with an NGO to bring awareness around a specific issue, the City and the NGO can apply for appropriate fundings?

---

Image sources:

My Virtual Team

Comments

Join the conversation and post a comment.

Cheri Baker

delete comment

January 14, 2012, 05:37AM

Fantastic idea, indeed!
Beautifying a city while educating its populace about what's happening and how to improve it is a great use of visual space. My main job as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Northern Ghana was to work on Guinea Worm Eradication. Guinea Worm is literally a biblical disease that people get from drinking contaminated water. (Fair warning!: This is a really graphic set of images of Guinea Worm taken near the village I lived in for 25 years: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1707059,00.html.)

After many different attempts to educate the villagers about how they were getting Gunea Worm (they thought it was a cure from the gods), I facilitated an art competition to see who could draw the best picture about Guinea Worm eradication methods (i.e. filtering water, not standing in the water when you fetch it, boiling water, etc).

The winner's award as to paint his picture on the side of the school, educating everyone who passed it on the transmission of this disease. It was amazing!! Using techniques like art to beautify and educate a city is phenomenal. Great work!

0 Applaud Report this comment

Cheri Baker's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Cheri Baker

delete comment

January 14, 2012, 05:40AM

Just to elaborate: any public facility (i.e. school), wall, space (I love your trash cans!) can be used to beautify the city.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Claire Cottrell

delete comment

January 04, 2012, 06:23AM

Hi Sarah!

This is a fantastic idea. The City of LA has implemented many projects like this, and it really adds to the urban fabric. To your point of including students and local artists, here's a neat Youth Arts Team being implemented in East Hollywood:

"Youth/young adult artists age 15-25 from across our community are wanted to participate in the East Hollywood Public Art Project. Apply to be part of the Youth Arts Core Teams and work with Mentor Artists to collect stories, map the neighborhood, design images, and to create the art. Core youth artist team will meet once a week for two hours as well as participate in three story gathering sessions, and one or two weekend days to complete the artwork."

from the East Hollywood E-Newsletter:
http://www.easthollywood.net/EHnews/0809_ehnews.html#LETTER.BLOCK16

Also, The Art of Chase, a Belgian artist based in Venice Beach (he turns dumpsters/ alleys/ abandoned buildings/ garage doors into art!):
http://theartofchase.com/category/press/

1 Applaud Report this comment

Louis Johnson

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 05:43PM

We have a similar concept in Lexington, KY (http://www.kentucky.com/2010/08/22/1401352/in-made-you-look-two-artists-draw.html) these paintings are meant to create awareness that storm sewres exist (many people never notice) and in theory help people realize what is going into these storm drains and getting into our water system. Some include very direct messages others are more interprative, all are interesting and add to the character of our urban landscape.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 08:42PM

Thanks Louis! This is the first time I see something like this for storm drains! Thanks for sharing!

0 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 12:42PM

Sarah! Great job!
More important reasons why to piggy-back in a facebook-group is that easy accessability and proximity to several million potential users and visitors. Offering most convenient ways for participants to share their photos and to get all their friends to vote for them.

(If you would start a web forum from scratch you will need to spend many thousands of dollars and at least a year of hard work to build up awareness and visits to your URL)

1 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 12:53PM

and the Audio tour could be made crowdsourced, or created by organising body.

And it seems we have forgotten Panoramio, for still images, they will appear visible in google earth and maps.google if you tag them with geo-coordinates @ upload. There is also GPS-tagging possible in youtube, for videoclips. (not sure if all of them will become visible in google?)

1 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 01:01PM

Agreed! (on both the Facebook group idea and crowdsourcing the Audio tour).

1 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:54AM

I have updated this concept to include everyone's comments and suggestions. Thanks all, these are great builds!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Camila Ojeda

delete comment

December 10, 2011, 12:54AM

Today, I just came across this great video of a project by Amnesty International http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJPPEK3Vrg&feature=player_embedded
It is another idea on how to bring vibrancy and awareness through art. A great project!
In addition to some of the comments above, I agree with Johan Löfström regarding the streets of Stockholm as an example.
It was truly inspirational to see how the arts and crafts took over poles and simple everyday public street objects making such a mark within the neighborhood inhabitants but with the tourists as well. That was one of my design highlights when visiting the city. Taking that additional step towards a higher public interaction with the arts is definitely the way to go!

4 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:40AM

Great idea Camila!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Vincent Cheng

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 05:33PM

Hmm..just realized the comments I made on Justus's City Painting concept ( http://www.openideo.com/open/vibrant-cities/concepting/let-artist-paint-entire-parts-of-the-city/ ) could also apply here. Here's an excerpt of our discussion (slightly edited):

Vincent: I wonder if large paint companies like Dupont Coatings, Sherwin-William, etc. (Billions of dollars in annual revenue) might be interested in making in-kind sponsorship donations of paint & publicity to such projects. Not only would this serve as great CSR, but it'd be the perfect demonstration of their product's benefits: after all, incredible resources are being put into commercials like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GURvHJNmGrc

Justus: Well the Dutch guys of Favela Painting are being sponsored by Azko Nobel, also a leader in paint. So I guess there is a huge potential.

Vincent: Excellent. I believe Azko Nobel is the largest globally. Let's get them engaged in some friendly competition to sponsor the most/best revitalization projects ;)

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:08AM

Brilliant idea! Thanks Vincent (always spot on on the financial viability issues :)

1 Applaud Report this comment

Charlotte Reed

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 07:55PM

I think this is a great idea. In line with the broken windows theory, when an area looks nice, exciting, engaging, people want to live and work there - and to take care of it. Government officials should be willing to commit as this is a low cost program and will serve to enhance neighborhoods attractiveness. I imagine targeting local government officials - city councilmen/women - would be the most effective. Getting the support of one city councilmen for their district should be fairly easy, especially if they are new and/or promoting local engagement/promotion. This is a unique opportunity to engage youth and artists...getting high schools or colleges to participate. All of this is appealing to government officials who may be looking towards elections etc. Additionally, costs can be low as the grants would merely need to cover the cost of the materials. Artists, particularly local, most likely will see their end products (and the time involved) as promotion and thus providing materials would be all that is needed.

This is a great, grassroots way to get local artists, students and government officials involved in revitalizing a community!!

4 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:07AM

Thanks Charlotte!

0 Applaud Report this comment

Ana Correia de Barros

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 06:22AM

I don't know how this could help in any way, but a friend of mine living in Barcelona once wrote a magazine article about how, during the night, Barcelona changed into a live museum due to all graffiti decoration on shop fronts.
Actually, I don't think that the City Hall in BCN saw this as something good for the city (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/27/barcelona-shopkeepers-fines-graffiti-decoration), but as a tourist, I can say that I was continuously marvelled as I strolled through BCN during the night.
I just wanted to leave this note because of the "free" and "live" museum idea and because of the fact that these magnificent paintings end up creating two different views of the city: "BCN-by-day" and "BCN-by-night".

5 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 06:58PM

Very interesting Ana. I'll try to find pictures of these graffiti, sounds really cool.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 08:24PM

http://bit.ly/w1qS7B

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:05AM

Johan, you rock, as usual!
(Thank god you didn't give me the "Let Me Google It For You" treatment :D)

0 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 13, 2011, 09:16AM

How about having themes that change motives over the seasons?

Maybe you wouldn't have to paint directy on the items, perhaps sewing textile or canvas "coveralls" for them, so you could change the design 3-4-5 times a year on each electric box and garbage can?

Or use environmentally friendly paint and paint remover, to make easy seasonal changes.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:03AM

I like this idea, just because it'll push people to submit ideas that go with the season and the specificities of the weather (I'm imagining something that would "pop" in a snowy city in the winter, or very flowery/organic designs that go with cherry trees blossoming in the spring...).

1 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 12:02PM

I think such a project could influence citizens to photograph all the little "eye-sores" that they see in their neighbourhood. And if artists decorate a part, they should photograph their creation and upload it on photo forum where they could GPS-tag the exact coordinates of the location, so the image becomes visible on Google Earth and Google Maps.
Would become influence for tourists to come and do the "art-promenade" between the different sites with these decorative elements.
Perhaps there is a slight related to the concept of Local Treasure Hunt, that are about promoting walking around the neighbourhoods : http://www.openideo.com/open/vibrant-cities/concepting/local-lore-treasure-hunt/

5 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 06:12PM

I just mean, who doesn't love to go hunting after Banksy and likeminded artists little art donations? they leave small gems on the back of traffic signs, on lamp posts... for us to discover, enjoy and have a good laugh about.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 07:05PM

This is an ah-ma-zing build Johan! Thanks so much!
Besides the "art promenade", there could even be some sort of Audio Tour (kind of like the Lonely Planet Audio Tour smartphone app), where tourists not only get the geolocation, but also an audio (or multimedia) explanation of its context, the artist, etc. etc. (maybe before/after pictures or videos).

3 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 08:17PM

:D It was you that made me come up with the details :D and as I just mentioned in a comment to your comment in the Treasure Hunt-concept : http://beta.broadcastr.com/ and historypin.com (before and after pics! in enhanced reality) and tagwhat.com are already existing technologies/forums with the type of functions that is needed. Enables users/visitors to tell a short audio-guide about a specific geographic location, save it with GPS-coordinates, and it becomes visible/listenable at that location (and in any home computer)

but it must also remain a low-tech-version that is equally enjoyable to people that don't have their phones along on the walk. Perhaps printing a small foldable pocket-map with suggested promenade tours? http://www.greenchairpress.com/blog/?p=228 Of course needs plenty of work to keep it updated/reprinted to have the actual info. It would be a shame if people with such a map became disappointed that the art they searched for was erased.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Vincent Cheng's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Vincent Cheng

delete comment

December 09, 2011, 07:40AM

Agreed, amazing builds Johan! Community-source the opportunity areas, perhaps even the selection process, and map & build content around the results for all to enjoy. Loving
"Embellish the Ugly 2.0" =)

2 Applaud Report this comment

Szilvia Varga's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Szilvia Varga

delete comment

December 09, 2011, 09:22AM

Great idea and great discussion everyone.

I was wondering / what about the non-public, i.e. non-city-owned ugly objects? What if I could take a photo of my ugly trash can or the front door of my house and put out a reward for an artist to transform it?

What do you think? Could your idea be extended in this way?

4 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 09, 2011, 10:07AM

Szilvia : amazing idea!!! great add-on!!!

2 Applaud Report this comment

Szilvia Varga's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Szilvia Varga

delete comment

December 09, 2011, 02:57PM

Weeeeeeeee, thanks :)

2 Applaud Report this comment

Keme 's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Keme

delete comment

December 16, 2011, 03:29PM

This is such an exciting idea!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 11:01AM

Amazing builds everyone, this is a very exciting conversation! Thanks all!
Johan: love the low-tech version of it as well, even if, as you mentioned, it requires a much more continuous effort in printing/refilling the maps.
Szilvia: brilliant idea! This is definitely something I'd love to keep exploring: should there be a specific period where people are invited to submit pictures of objects they'd like to be transformed? Or should it be continuous? I'd love it to be some sort of a P2P process: in a website/social media platform, those who submit objects can select ideas from those who submit sketches, or something similar. What do you think?

1 Applaud Report this comment

Dave Foster

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 05:33PM

I like the idea, Sarah. How do you think the city or citizens should distinguish between what's ok to redecorate and what's not? I like graffiti but I'm guessing most city officials don't, so how is the best way to designate what should be dressed up and what needs to be left alone? Maybe a platform for people to photograph and send/post/upload photos w/ their locations to a gov't website for approval? Or maybe for public voting?

Also, is there a way to decide who gets to embellish an object? I think most instances would probably be appreciated no matter what the artist chooses to do with it, but is there some recourse if people agree that it looks worse off than it was before? Maybe back to some kind of public voting system to redecorate the redecoration for those few who don't come out so well.

4 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 07:03PM

Hi Dave! Thanks for swinging by :)
As far as the objects selection, I think this should be done by the city, and then they would ask people to register for one of those objects (either on a first come first served basis, or by submitting ideas that would then be selected). I like the idea that we could invite the public to vote as well, definitely a good thing to get people involved and excited about the outcomes even before they're ready :)
As far as the selection criteria are concerned, I guess this is something the City would have to define depending on their situation (there might be certain rules related to the overall urban paysage, people with special needs, and things like that).

3 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 08:30PM

Selection process in the Stockholm CIty electricbox-competition was made on a web page : fortum.se/elskap (the artists submitting their sketch became the ones making publicity about the competition and project web page, so rumours spread mouth-to-mouth between all creative people about such a challenge. But it could be good to send out press release and invite to art schools)

but it would be very simple to create a group on facebook, let people upload their sketches, and then have a vote there in the photo album, just count the click on the "like-buttons".

3 Applaud Report this comment

Paul Reader's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Paul Reader

delete comment

December 09, 2011, 10:20AM

On balance I think I like graffiti that has been officially sanctioned. My house and a number of other houses in the area in which I live have been subject to vandalism and unauthorised graffiti which actually degrades the area. It used to happen to some local bus shelters too until the council actually had them painted with abstract coloured patterns, after that 'vandal-type' graffiti somehow became less relevant and largely disappeared from these objects. Great graffiti takes vision and talent and the results are usually applaudable, I guess I'm a traditionalist which is why I posted the links to the murals under Meena's original comment. Murals can tell historical and cultural stories but they could also be used to signpost a brighter future.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 10, 2011, 02:26PM

to be fair, Paul, I am thinking that everyone is against vandalism, but this and most other forms of street art is all about art, bright colours, fun motives and decoration. The intent is often to try and bring the people passing by into a smile, or a thought or just something to enjoy in their daily life.

Not many people likes the little segment of graffitiworld that is just the scribbled tags made with marker-pens. But these little amateur-taggers sometimes grow up to become great artists aswell ;)

1 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 29, 2011, 10:56AM

Johan, thanks for sharing the link of the Stockholm CIty electricbox-competition, it's a great example! I agree with the Facebook group idea as well, although such a website doesn't seem to be that hard to put together (but I'm far from being a programmer, so I'm not speaking from experience here!).

1 Applaud Report this comment

Brian Redondo

delete comment

December 10, 2011, 12:01PM

Cool idea! Encouraging creativity and bring art to the masses can really change the flavor of a city. Just look at Berlin and see how the abundance and acceptance of street art has redefined the whole city, particularly the east side. I'm also reminded of how one summer in New York City when thousands of cabs had their hoods painted with colorful flowers by public school students. It really made the city feel happier and became a good launchpad for discussion amongst residents.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Qiu Yi

delete comment

December 10, 2011, 01:34AM

Great idea! As a further step, perhaps popular designs could be used for city marketing or even fundraising to keep the project going - e.g. winning designs printed on bus pass-holders, re-useable shopping bags etc. Not sure how you might feel about the commercialisation aspect - but it may help financial sustainability of the project and to get councils and artists on board as well.

There's a fashion website that applies a similar concept - designers submit designs and the winners get printed onto scarves and sold for profit, the idea being to give new designers an opportunity to get their stuff out there, and for fashion to become more interactive
http://www.betafashion.com/t-aboutus.aspx

3 Applaud Report this comment

michael iyanro

delete comment

December 09, 2011, 12:35PM

i love it

2 Applaud Report this comment

Patrick Gazley

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 03:15AM

A great idea. In Chicago we've got some lakefront walls painted by local artists. Would love to see this concept applied to utility boxes, bins, etc. Very nice Sarah.

These winter months could use some color!

4 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 06:56PM

Thanks Patrick!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Ana Correia de Barros

delete comment

December 06, 2011, 06:22PM

Hi Sarah,

Nice concept! This reminds me of an initiative by Lisbon's City Council where people (whether artists or not) are invited to paint glass recycling bins. Some pictures of the project over here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.263450637009401.66590.221215817899550&type=3

5 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 06, 2011, 06:48PM

Oh wow, thanks for sharing this great example Ana!
I wonder how the logistics of it all worked out... How did the city manage to "distribute" trash cans for people (on a first come first served basis? pre-registration?) and whether the city contributed financially (or materially: paint, brushes, etc.)... The results look really cool anyway!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Ana Correia de Barros's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Ana Correia de Barros

delete comment

December 06, 2011, 07:00PM

You're welcome.
Yes, the initiative works as a call for proposals on a first stage: the City Council has a list of glass recycling bins they want to see painted. Currently the project concluded the 2nd stage and they now opened a call for a 3rd stage where they have 50 more bins available.
You just have to apply with your proposal.
The City Council unfortunately does not provide the materials, it just approves and authorizes the idea.
Oh, and as a participant you are also asked to document the process (making of: video and pictures).
It would be nice to think about ways in which artists/citizens could get financial help.

4 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 06, 2011, 07:52PM

Thanks for all these insights, they're very helpful!

2 Applaud Report this comment

Paul Reader's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Paul Reader

delete comment

December 06, 2011, 11:53PM

Thanks for sharing all this Sarah and Ana. Interesting to understand the 'politics' of it. I think one of the keys here is the small scale of each object to beautify. Maybe for financial support councils could attract business sponsorships on a small scale too with a website/page with a catalogue of the objects and their artists and sponsors - a simple ecommerce site without the prices would suffice.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Paul Reader's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Paul Reader

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 12:17AM

Maybe a city like Detroit could commission representations of automobiles (old and new) on the sorts of objects you mentioned Sarah and have a public voting system for prizes.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 12:45PM

Ana, I just had another idea. In Lisbon's example, you don't need to be an artist to participate in this challenge. What if we opened up the challenge to local schools. We can have teachers enroll their class, and have them apply their learnings in real life! This would give school kids a sense of pride when they grow up ("I contributed to make something nice in my city"). What do you think?

2 Applaud Report this comment

Paul Reader's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Paul Reader

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 01:42PM

Really great extension to involve schools - would also give parents a sense of pride in their kids too (which can be an issue in social behavior).

2 Applaud Report this comment

Ana Correia de Barros's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Ana Correia de Barros

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 06:06AM

Sarah, I think that is a good idea. As I look back over my school years, I realise how the education I got as a citizen (in social, environmental, cultural or citizenship issues) has been very important indeed for the decisions I now take as an adult. So, to be able to "contribute to make something nice" in the city, to be acknowledged by it and to have that example in display for years and years to come sounds really good.
That would also probably solve some of the financial support issues, since schools often have resources to use for purposes of art projects.
Another group which could perhaps be interesting to include would be people (children/adults) with disabilities within associations, charities, etc. Art is not only a great occupation as it also helps develop several human capacities. And this could also help to raise some awareness on these specific group's abilities which are often unknown by society. Now it's my time to ask: what do you think?
Cheers

2 Applaud Report this comment

Dave Foster's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Dave Foster

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 05:25PM

Regarding Paul's comment, a campaign of artist-painted (or otherwise altered) cars placed around the city could be great. I've seen that concept succeed in Washington DC with statues of donkeys, elephants and panda bears (by the zoo) and here in Dubai, they've done it with horses and camels. There's often a charity fund-raising component and there's local pride in city's heritage symbolized in the sculptures placed all over the city. Miniature representations of the best ones can be replicated and sold to locals and tourists for a cause.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Ana Cecilia Santos

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 04:05PM

Hello Sarah!
Wonderful concept and I am very happy to have inspired you :)
I am a big fan of this idea, and think it has great potential!
I could imagine this project funded by a local government/council to start an education project, for example for kids with less fortunate backgrounds or who are not currently in education because they have problems at home etc. This could be a fun and interesting way to connect them with an artist, and make something valuable for their city, which would educate them about their surroundings and the value of things.

Just something I thought of right now :) If I find a concrete example of this idea, I will share it with you :)
congrats!

3 Applaud Report this comment

Johan Löfström's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Johan Löfström

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 07:12PM

That is a very nice idea of a "mentoring-program" within this concept! perhaps making apprentice-ships possible between interested youths and established artists in the community.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 07:19PM

Great idea! I actually just said in another comment how it'd be great to involve school kids in this contest, but adding a mentorship angle to it is really really good. Thanks guys!

3 Applaud Report this comment

Ana Cecilia Santos's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Ana Cecilia Santos

delete comment

December 08, 2011, 11:03AM

Hey guys! Absolutely, and Mentoring is a great word that I think describes well what I meant, thanks for the help Johan :)

3 Applaud Report this comment

Jenny Jin

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 04:45PM

Great concept - What excites me the most about it is the potential for people to connect to each other not just online, but throughout their everyday interactions with their communities through the bus stops, trashcans, etc.

I see the legitimacy in artists contributing, but I think what's an untapped resource are students and the elderly who can share their stories, their voices and perspectives of what the city means to them through visual storytelling and artwork.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Jenny Jin's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Jenny Jin

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 04:48PM

For instance, in Mathare slum in Kenya, students take photos of their everyday lives, and share it within a youth group as a way to talk about what's going on and share what's important to them. Its' a great talking point, but the kis are equally eager to share these personal photographs widely to showcase what their lives are like.

Can we collect these different contributions from people that are eager to share their collective stories of what a city means to them, and find spaces and everyday "ugly" objects to showcase them?

2 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 07:21PM

Good point Jenny, I definitely think now it's not just about local artists, but everyone who wants to get involved (school kids, young people, seniors, etc.).

0 Applaud Report this comment

Lindsay Wright

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 03:37AM

Sarah, they did this in Vermont! I love the idea! Every time I'm at an intersection now I always think how cute they are. They give so much characteristic to a street corner! :)

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 08:43AM

Thanks Lindsay! I didn't know this was also the case in Vermont, good to know!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Lindsay Wright's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Lindsay Wright

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 03:05PM

Yeah, it's awesome... I tried to find an article about the ones in VT but I can't seem to find it, I believe it's commissioner graffiti artist and such. Looks like they're doing it in Boston too: http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/10/15/boston_recruits_local_artists_to_help_ward_off_graffiti/

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 07:18PM

Thanks Lindsay!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Erica Stephan

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 03:57AM

They've done this beautifully with mosaics in East Oakland. I used to live just off High Street and very much appreciated the splash of color on some otherwise drab stretches of road. You can see photos of these lovely artworks here:

http://oaklandlocal.com/article/ceramicists-bring-art-oaklands-high-street

3 Applaud Report this comment

Sarah Fathallah's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Sarah Fathallah

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 08:43AM

Oh wow, these are beautiful indeed!

1 Applaud Report this comment

Meena Kadri

delete comment

December 06, 2011, 08:39PM

Nice one, Sarah – on being the first concept on the Vibrant Cities challenge! A colourful start, indeed.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Paul Reader's reply to Cheri Baker's comment

Paul Reader

delete comment

December 07, 2011, 12:09AM

On a larger scale here is a rural community near wher I used to live that has defined itself by art - Sheffield is called the Town of Murals (http://www.discovertasmania.com/north_west_coast/towns_and_places/sheffield ) and has an annual (10th year) International Mural Fest ( http://www.muralfest.com.au/ )- I think the key here is that the whole community (about 1000 people is substantially behind it).

2 Applaud Report this comment