Thrifty Pixie
Worldwide Expressions of Social Art
"STARING DIRECTLY AT THE NORTHERN IRELAND CHECKPOINT, BRIEFCASE IN HAND, ABOUT TO BE OPENED,
Chilean political refugee Ren6 Castro poised himself for a battle. British soldiers drew their rifles immediately and ordered him to halt. "What's in the case?" they demanded. "My weapon," he answered. Their rifles cocked as he opened the case and withdrew his sketchbook."... I came across this story from a man named Maria X. Martinez who advocated the use of art to build community. "Artists not only document social change," Martinex said, "they promote, inform, and shape it."
Creativity is not something with an end or a beginning. It is something like inspiration, in that it is everpresent and is a part of everyone. And if you´re feeling like you could use a bit of that inspiration, I invite you to listen to the voices of these powerful poets and see the artwork of the people below who not only had an idea, but they did it.
¨The "Funnel Tunnel" is a temporary public structure created by Houston-based artist Patrick Renner. The 180 ft long sculpture was built using steel and reclaimed wood that snakes down the Montrose Blvd esplanade. Commissioned by Art League Houston, the sculpture reflects the creative people and businesses in the Montrose area, and is the first of its kind in Houston!¨ -JunkCulture
Public art performance in Detroit that was sure to bring attention. These performers walked the streets in giant, inflatable air suits.
Rather than an ad for the next gas station or fastfood place, this brings something powerful and sentimental to this piece of highway. Billboard art not only has the ability to send a good thought into the universe, but to be seen by thousands, maybe even millions. Even if one in a million changes there day for the better because of that piece, don´t you think it´s worth the paint?
An incredible example call-and-responce public art, this piece encourages passersby to take a moment and add to the art piece. As more and more people write their own thoughts into the story, the art grows into something more personal.
Here, street art pulls free, completely, from the negative stereotypes. This poster fights for women´s equality with a simple sentence and powerful sketch. It is the kind of art that makes you look twice and reflect.