Throughout this process, it became clear to me that I can look at one piece of art and see an array of different interpretations. What do you see? What do you feel?
Two weeks ago, when asking Jax what he hopes to provoke with his art, he told me:
“I hope to change people’s thoughts or perceptions in some way, even if I don’t know exactly what it is.”
The Tuesday heat is oppressive. When I check my weather app before leaving for the containR site, the forecast says that there will be rain. A quick scan of the sky shows that there are no clouds nearby, so I opt out of my raincoat. Upon arrival, I know that my choice to ditch the jacket was right, but otherwise, I am totally overdressed. The clouds are moving away from the sun, which is beating hard on our backs. Daniel chose a container that conveniently gives no shade whatsoever. I enviously stare back at the organizers, who are relaxing in the shade. Nevertheless, I sit down by Daniel’s work and start recording on my phone.
Read MoreHaving already seen the draft of Jax’s mural, many discussions and ideas are on the tip of my tongue. Being the documenter, I must be patient and maintain a pacing of documentation that is aligned with his progress. My excitement for the rest of the city to admire his work multiplies each day.
The first day meeting him, I asked him if he had done murals in the past. He told me that this was his first one. I found this surprising. His outline was clear and he was filling in the details calmly.
Read MoreRiding the C-train North through Sunnyside station, passengers will see a shipping container in the beginning stages of a mural as part of the ContainR Youth Mural Project.
Read MoreWe recognize that we are complex in nature. Why do some fail to recognize that nature is subject to that complexity, as well. Are we separate from nature, or a conscious subset of it? For all we know, we may be the only organisms with the cognition to ask ourselves these questions.
Read MoreIt’s a bit nerve-wracking to cover an artist’s process. Something that has made this task easier is the fact that I have sat next to Daniel Volante - one of this year’s artists - in art class for the past two years. Watching Daniel make art is like partaking in a long, bumpy road trip that always leads to an amusement park. He sketches, he paces, he throws away drawings and tries again.
Read MoreSomething powerful happens when you give young people a chance to create public artwork: they find a positive way to express themselves, they feel more connected to their communities and their peers, and they gain real-world skills that prepare them for the future.
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