But not all public art projects should be written off. Of course not. Just because something is commisioned by a structured program or institution doesn't mean that it will be a sterile mismanagement of funds. "Winds of Change," a 1977 mural project in Berkeley, California, is a widescale piece dealing with working class struggles and strong anti-capitalist, anti-technology themes. Corporate interests lead to a serious dehumanization of the working class and it is shown so vividly in this mural. Another substantial community art project is Judy Baca's Los Angeles-based "The Great Wall" project. Baca brought together hundreds and hundreds of local youth to create this largescale mural, rich with history and experience. The project itself taught the kids participating a number of real-world lessons like time management, teamwork and organization, as well as the massive sense of empowerment and ownership that accompanied the creation of The Great Wall.
Judy Baca, posing in front of a portion of the project. Courtesy of Stanford University.
Baca has used public art and murals as a means for communicating peace and providing the space for social awareness and activism. To use this realm for good intentions is a difficult and taxing process but Baca has consistently been able to accomplish it through her projects. I admire her strength and resolve in a climate of opposition from various angles, either condemning her work for usurping the public sphere or simply not being "street" enough. Perhaps that debate over authenticity and street cred is just one more frame around which this persistent issue can be constructed.
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