A resident puts forward an idea.
Here is a consideration that could become a new Downtown event…would appreciate your comments.
I recall a survey a number of months back inquiring about the state of graffiti in the downtown . Graffiti is generally seen as a negative or a problem. I suggest this does not always need be the case, in fact it may be a very novel opportunity for downtown Guelph. Here is something Montreal did with graffiti artists in their city (see link)
I was at a street festival in Melbourne Australia where the theme was Graffiti Art. Down the main street office dividers (panel room dividers) had been placed, covered with heavy paper inviting anyone to leave messages, poems, drawings, whatever – the lower portions an empty “canvas of excitement” for the kiddies. An area was also created where artists had registered and worked on a full panel piece, attracting great interest from the visitors to the event (shoppers). These would be voted on by the public and a prize awarded. In Melbourne attendees spent a great deal of time in the downtown walking, wandering and looking at what people had left; sketches, poems and art on the drawing walls that had been set up. In the Guelph downtown something like this could be done. A small stage could be included somewhere, adding music to this street event. An event such as this could be staged with relatively low costs – another attractive aspect of such an event.
To attract positive attention in downtown why not a commissioning similar to what was done in Montreal. Local media would report on it, a corresponding street festival would be complimentary, but importantly – people would come downtown interested to see “Graffiti Fest”.
Standing out front of the River Run Centre, looking across at the parking garage I see three stories of grey walls. I also see opportunity. GO
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This seems like a very sensible approach to promoting the downtown area and perhaps other areas at some later date. Some Ontario tourist areas already have very professional quality murals painted on old buildings. Midland immediately springs to my mind. There may also be a second benefit, perhaps some of the destructive and ugly graffiti will diminish if we provide a venue and opportunity for these graffiti artists. Art H.
I have been working on a graffiti proposal to the city and have outlined various places around the city that have been and are developing issues with graffiti. Most Writers are looking for a place to do their work. I think that since Guelph is a very community based city that we need to involve a large portion of down town affiliated urban and art related stores so we can approach the city with a solid plan.
As an Eco alternative i have come up with a few variations of street art that i have seen while traveling around Europe. Graffiti is art and it needs a home so i can grow and build itself up like other large cities around the world.
Montreal, Ottawa, Australia, Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid and the list goes on and on and on as to cities that have let down their guard and have allowed graffiti to flourish and become an amazing art form for tourists and citizens alike.
If you like to talk and get this going. Id love to chat and get more input!
SKiLZ
Guelph Police use to do this every year in the 1990′s until funding and / or council decided to stop it