Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Art is (not always) meant to last




This past weekend I attended a street painting festival.  I was amazed at the creative and colorful designs painted temporarily in chalk in the middle of several roped off streets.  Did I say temporary?  Yes that is exactly what I said and under rain threatening skies as well! 

Don’t get me wrong I appreciated the talent and skill of these artists, but to roll around on the hard asphalt, covered from head to toe in the medium and then have your labors washed away or simply run over buy a garbage truck, well that is just—simply put, dedication.

Some of the creations were simple, but some were quite intricate reproductions of museum pieces.  Today they are gone, underfoot or tire, and it just rubs me the wrong way.

As I watch these hard-working artists put down something that will gone with the wind I think of the words spoken by the late Martin Luther King Jr….

~Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. ~

As for me personally…I’ll stick with a hopscotch board.








18 comments:

Lee Pierce said...

A wonderful sight - can just imagine all the time and effort put into each one. They continue to exist in photos! And so can be owned by everyone and no one and pop up years from now on the internet.

Thanks for sharing :^)

Valerie-Jael said...

I always admire the pavement artists, but I don't think I could bring myself to work so many hours for nothing. Perhaps they are the true artists, because they just share and let it go. Valerie

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

That is amazing!! They have a festival like that here. I can't imagine all that work and then washed away, but I guess cake designers go through the same thing. Photograph it and move on:)

Carol Blackburn said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing those with us.

Anonymous said...

beautiful! I have a friend that does this,, all summer from town to town during festival times.He said it doesn't bother him because for him the beauty is in the process or journey, then when he's finished he walks away satisfied.I think I get his point but I agree I would find it a difficult few hours or days on that hard surface.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I agree with you Crystal--these creations are too beautiful to be just washed away or destroyed by car tires. Too bad they couldn't beautify the sides of some warehouses or other suitable buildings.

Jenn Bower said...

OK! They just blow my mind...to be able to create on demand and so publicly like that is astounding.

Kristin Dudish said...

These are absolutely incredible... I bet they were amazing in person! (Thank goodness for photographs!)

xo
Kristin

Cowgirl Red said...

How fun. But I'm with you. Waste of beautiful art. I imagine the people who do it are quite interesting to talk to. Terah

maddyrose said...

These were fantastic pieces and to think they're gone so quickly. It reminds me of how I feel about sand castle festivals or ice sculptures.

Anonymous said...

Truly amazing! Beauty is fleeting...

Heather said...

wow! those are AMAZING! They must have been even better in real life - i can't imagine the patience these people must have! reminds me of Mary Poppins! have a great day! thanks for sharing those with us!

Magic Love Crow said...

Wow, amazing, beautiful, and fun! Sad to see them just go! But, you enjoyed them while they were there, that's the main thing ;o)

Netty said...

Oh wow, thank you for sharing these fab works. You definitely have to respect these artists. x

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Some wonderful works, but I too would rather have mine last a bit longer!

Unknown said...

oh how amazing!!! i am in awe at what people can do on pavement!!!!

montyandrosie said...

These are so fabulous! I completely agree with you, though. I would have a hard job doing all that work if I knew it would disappear at the touch of a few raindrops. (or in our case - an onslaught of water out of the sky)

angelself said...

This is what selfless love looks like =) Too awesome not to share, so I linked this post to my Fb page...
https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.kelton

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