From stencilled “Stick no bills” messages to huge electronic bill boards, the cityscape has lent itself to be a canvas. Empty walls and roadside trees are treated as nothing more than a mere advertisement board with stapled notices, repetitive posters containing the same message and movie posters pasted on to the same wall over and over again.
In the light of the recent solid waste management issues prevalent in the city, the negligence of individuals in not segregating dry from wet waste is a major problem. When individuals take responsibility, it brings a huge difference collectively. The state of the roads and the spaces have a lot to say about how we treat our environment and paints a clear picture of the city to visitors and tourists.
Besides imposing regulations to prevent misuse of public spaces, it is important that individuals are aware of the space they inhabit and the possibilities of change that might benefit the community as a whole. It is crucial for individuals to understand that they are an integral part of the whole and any action they take or do not take will in turn come around to affect them and the community. Bringing about a change in an individual’s outlook and behaviour is a gradual process and one that is better done by persuasion rather than by the use of force or by enforcing rules.
Art that was once viewed and appreciated only in closed galleries has now begun to appear in public spaces. Thought-provoking sculptures and interactive installations in the environment convey a message or evoke an awareness in a much stronger and effective sense. To present an idea or a thought in an artistic manner to the layman and to let individuals react or respond it, has a profound impact on the minds to bring about a change.
A space that is accessed by all provides endless opportunities to entertain, educate and amuse. The urban landscape including parks can set the stage for performances in music, dance and theatre to send out a message.
With artists and activists embracing this canvas in a novel way, it will be no surprise that the public spaces will be a delight to access and live.
Using the spaces creatively to raise awareness and change the outlook of the community can possibly bring many problems that were previously unresolved to a closure.