"I am not sure if you got my first email. If there is no new news on the mural project other than what you have posted on your blog that is fine, but I would appreciate a response. Community support is important for things like this and that is what I am trying to provide. I am a home and business owner in this town and am looking for creative ways to support this town.
Thank you in advance for your response."
I don't like to get ahead of myself by announcing my next location or artist before things are 100% confirmed. If things don't follow through, it's more than just myself that is disappointed.
One of the most difficult factors in the mural equation is getting wall space. Some of the business owners I've approached for a wall don't understand the value that public art would provide to their community. It's possible they think I'm asking permission to tag their walls with graffiti.
A reader of the Jersey Journal article asked me to further explain my project. Below is my response, which explains the foundation for my project, and the goals I hope to achieve:
"I believe that the murals are more than just a large public piece of art for the public to enjoy. My idea was that not only could the murals beautify the city, but that by selecting the world's top contemporary artists, Jersey City could benefit from all of the media exposure that would follow the progression of my mural program. I felt that by promoting these murals by famous artists, Jersey City would become a destination for art-loving tourists from around the globe, as well as Manhattan and the boroughs, which in turn, would create new revenue in our local economy. Public art is not only good for the residents of the neighborhoods, but also great for the surrounding businesses. Feel free to ask Hudson County Art Supply how the response to the mural has been. They would know best. I've already heard from the owner that people have come from New York City to see the mural in person.
I also believe that by giving a gift of art to a neighborhood, you are creating something that all of the diverse residents of a community can be proud of. If a community is proud of their new mural, they won't want to see it damaged. My hope is that the same pride extends beyond the wall of the mural to their entire community, which would result in cleaner and safer neighborhoods.
My goal is that these public murals will result in a cleaner, safer, healthier, vibrant and colorful city."
If any readers know of a business or residence that would like to contribute wall space for a public mural, be sure to let me know.
Thank You,
Dylan
i can recommend the following walls:
ReplyDelete(sorry, i cannot link to google maps)
* lots of crud bldgs on newark ave which could use a facelift until they're eventually bought and converted etc. same goes for columbus.
* huge wall between steuben st and columbus at marin blvd.
* the embankment wall on brunswick between first and columbus.
* alternatively, the wall on the side of the columbus democrats club on first / brunswick near the unspecial "park/ statute" dedicated to the phillipine national hero, jose rizal.
* anything over on the old embankment pillars near the basketball court near mary benson park
* some old cruddy bldg on the north side of enos jones park
* on the wall (of 264 third street) behind stockingette
* probably a few on "maxwell street" (which is basically an alley)
* the brick wall on the side of ferris high school on brunswick street.
thanks, alan. i'm going to see what i can find out about your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteHello Dylan:
ReplyDeletethanks for reaching out to me the other day and introducing your blog.
i appreciate, understand and agree with your reasoning for wanting to start a mural arts program in Jersey City. i, myself being an artist in Jersey City and a strong advocate of a mural arts program here, am working alongside Irene Borngraber to mirror the intent of beauty and community effort of the mural arts program in Philadelphia. I strongly believe that Jersey City is the perfect landscape for a mural arts program in that we have an abundance of wall space, plenty of areas that could use a sprucing up and a countless array of talented artist to participate in the success of the murals. My other intent is to make this a community program by organizing with schools and local children to assist in the making of the murals as a way to expand their minds, enhance their lives and give them an appreciation for art and beauty. So yes, famous artist would certainly add some flavor to the neighborhood but there are plenty of local (not so famous) artist that would be just as willing and able to produce great murals and also benefit from the exposure; it should be a community effort with an end result that is advantageous for all. i cant wait to get a wall painted and i look forward to working with you on our first mural.
best regards, Joan Marie Palmer
mr. dylan,
ReplyDeletewould like to be considered for future walls. http://spraygraphic.com/eluvee
many thanks,
lotsaluck!