How can ART save us?
Unemployment. Idle time. Trauma. Crime. Addiction. Violence. Poverty. War.
How can ART be a powerful catalyst to propel social change in poor communities?
At first, art projects as a means to turn around marginalised young people in poor communities may seem naive. There are surely many other more urgent needs that should be addressed before “pretty picture classes” should receive investment? But have you ever considered the social value that urban art in a community could bring?
Through various movements and foundations, art has proven to be an accessible way for youth to begin to approach seemingly impossible challenges. It acts as a bridge of growth and opportunity for everything that a troubled person requires in order to make life changes; from gaining employment skills and a much needed sense of community, to finding helpful guidance and building positive networks needed to find a job or start a business. In addition, art can serve as a tool of self expression for a person struggling mentally, who may never find a way to release their trauma via other means, resources or support.
Since 2005, some of the world’s most notorious, deprived and violent slums have been renewed into masterful and unique pieces of art by Dutch artists, Haas & Hahn, pictured above. By employing local youth in Rio's notorious Santa Marta favela and training them as painters, scaffolders and renderers, Haas & Hahn managed to transform 7000 square metres of the otherwise depressed and dull central plaza of Praça Cantão to a beautified and united community square; whilst driving ongoing social change with the 'pay-it-forward' approach of locals teaching locals how to continue to uplift the streets and by consequence, the people.
BEFORE
AFTER
This is taking form across the world in countries such as Indonesia (Kampung Pelangi slum pictured above), Kenya and even one of the USA’s poorest cities, Philadelphia. The result and flow on effect of such an idea is truly immeasurable. It not only creates a much more positive and happy setting amidst the chaos and devastation, but due to the fact that most of these communities have been built by the residents themselves, by equipping the same locals with the skills and tools required to create such impactful change, it consequently motivates and empowers others surrounding them to also take control of the environment in which they live.
Street art has long been a means of self expression and political activism. According to Craig Halliday at Africanah.org “street art is being used to change (Nairobi’s) environment and recreate its socio-political spaces. Street artists are engaging in activism and community development in unique ways, extending the remit of art's transformative abilities”.
In 2013, the “Kibera Walls for Peace” project was implemented in Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera is the largest urban slum in all of Africa and home to an estimated 1-2 million people. The project began a year earlier as a Kickstarter campaign by artist Joel Bergner. He collaborated with Kibera Hamlets, local school children and Kenyan graffiti artists to paint eight public murals that promoted peace, understanding and cooperation between the faction gangs and political groups who control the wider population. Youth from the ages of 14 to 24 participated in workshops involving peace building skills and public artistry. This informed the content of each mural, which spoke to Kibera’s different ethnic and religious communities. Consequently, the narrative across all media platforms leading up to the 2013 Kenyan election was for the first time, one of peace.
So, could utilising art as a tool for employment, youth outreach, education and social change be a tangible and impactful way to create opportunities that yield both personal and community development? Well, art provides inspired awareness, communication and emotion throughout environments that tend to suppress privileged notions of growth, happiness and wellbeing. For many, art can be a way of self expression, freedom of speech and a way to gather people together in unity and effectuate protest. Whether it be by beautifying the tired, dull streets caused by the violence and warring of oppressors or a way to speak out against the corruption and neglect of the political system, art encourages people to embrace higher ambitions and higher standards, both practically and ideally.
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