Funded by the Center City Commission, an innovative trend towards producing urban art is going to permeate the Memphis downtown area soon. The UrbanArt organization states that the aim of the projects are to: enhance the city’s image, reduce graffiti and vandalism, provide opportunities for community participation, build neighborhoods with identity and civic pride, add to the value of public assets, contribute to the revitalization of urban areas, and highlight the value of community heritage.[1] Claiming that, “UbranArt’s mission is to enhance the cultural vibrancy of our community through the development of public art,” the UrbanArt campaign, led by Rhodes College graduate John Weeden is soon to unveil a series of outdoor video art exhibitions throughout the city with the project Curious Pictures.[2] This endeavor will feature local filmmakers vignettes projected onto the sides of various Memphis buildings including the Orpheum and the Jolly Royal Furniture Store and is free to the public.[3] This is an intriguing proposition, and it will take time to see if the goals of the UrbanArt organization are realizable. However, most important is that the city is attempting to embark on a venture that will aim to accomplish many of the same goals that downtown developers have been trying to achieve for years, but in a different manner. From what is posted, the urban art campaign will not be aimed at changing the landscape of Memphis, but rather at highlighting what is already present by altering the aesthetics of the city. They will not be pushing the poor out of town, or redeveloping old buildings, and instead they will embrace what Memphis already has to offer by seeking widespread community contributions to make Memphis more inviting to its populace. If this program works, then the Center City Commission will be straying from many of their past attempts to gentrify Memphis towards realizing that the city is a unique urban landscape full of diversity that should be embraced rather than shunned. It is yet to be seen if Memphis can come together around a revitalization project without isolating the poor, but this campaign does seem to suggest that regardless of social status the goals of UrbanArt will profit everyone in Memphis.
[2] John Weeden, “UrbanArt to Light Up Downtown Memphis with ‘Curious Pictures,’” Weeden Arts Watch, September 7, 2010, http://weedenartswatch.blogspot.com/2010/09/urbanart-to-light-up-downtown-memphis.html.
[3] Ibid.
I think that this is a good plan and will need to continue to be developed... I like that it takes a different view than most places that are trying to redevelop area because they aren't displacing the less fortunate and they aren't developing things that won't be readily available to all of the public. They are simply using the good that Memphis has to offer and showing it to the public, no matter what socioeconomic status they might have.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of something that my city started to do last year. It's more a of competition than a general movement, but there are different exhibits scattered throughout all of the city from local and non local artists. Here is a website to check it out:
http://www.michigan.org/partners/artprize/?NRC=TM_GG&NRX=TM12331&WT.srch=1&gclid=CLvj-rOFhaQCFY3D7Qod_VivGA
I think that this idea is certainly noteworthy and will improve the spirit of the city. Beautification projects allow citizens to take pride in their city, and this is definitely something that Memphis needs. My concern with the emphasis on this project being anti-gentrification and relocation is that the Center City Commission might be merely trying to make up for some of its past projects which have been largely anti-poverty. For instance, the panhandling ordinance was supported primarily by the CCC. Is this something that they are trying to do to improve their reputation with civic-minded Memphians?
ReplyDeleteI also believe this is a great idea. The artwork on the walls will help bring the city to life. I am currently interning at the CCC and I do not get the feeling they are trying to make up for past projects. The CCC has several new employees whom I believe have a sincere interest in this new project. Yesterday, I actually visited a new restaurant, located in the South Main area, with several coworkers. Yesterday was the grand opening and the my coworkers were extremely excited about it. On the side of the building there is different art images on the wall the represent Memphis. The artwork is colorful and really looks great.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely agree that this is an innovative plan and I like the aims of John Weeden's plan. However, my issue with this endeavor is the long-term effects. Anything that is revamped or refurbished requires careful maintenance. My fear is that this could bring about a short-lived beautification of the downtown area, which causes more eye sores fifteen to twenty years down the road. We must start somewhere to improve downtown Memphis, and John certainly has the right direction. The key importance to improving the downtown area is having a detailed, long-term plan for the improvements.
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking public art aims to improve the quality of an environment, help foster a sense of community, and enhance the economic vitality of a city or region by appealing to a broader range of current and perspective residents. Specifically, the Public
ReplyDeleteArt Program sponsored by the Memphis City County of Commissioners seeks:
1. To enhance the quality of life of the residents of the City of Memphis through the
creation of an improved physical and cultural environment;
2. To enhance the visibility and stature of Memphis in local, regional, national and
international arenas;
3. To provide leadership in the development of high quality public spaces;
4. To expand the economic vitality of the City through increased property values
and new cultural tourism opportunities;
5. To provide access to artistic experiences of the highest caliber for the residents
of and visitors to the City of Memphis;
6. To acknowledge the skills and creativity of artists which are the key to the
success of such a program;
7. To enhance the quality of selected City capital improvement projects through the
incorporation of the skills of artists;
8. To encourage innovative approaches to public art;
9. To integrate artists into the planning and design process at the earliest possible
opportunity;
10. To engage citizens in the public art process in meaningful and responsive ways;
11. To stimulate public dialogue about issues raised by public art;
12. To ensure that public artwork is accessible to all individuals including those with
special needs; and
13. To ensure access and the equitable distribution of commissions among artists of
diverse cultural backgrounds who are representative of the residents of the City
of Memphis.
The new project being pursued by the Urban Art commission accomplishes almost all of these goals. Of the details of this project I believe the use of local artists will be the most effective at enhancing all aspects of the community. This piece of the project identifies leaders in the community as well as provides artistic opportunities for local artists, engages citizens, and incorporates local residents into the enhancement of their community. The combination of all of the goals listed above is a tall order to fill. Only time will tell if this project will be successful at accomplishing all it has set out to do. The Urban Art Commission is definitely stepping into a new realm of public art, unlike anything they have commissioned before.