Canvassing the streets

It's a daily activity for Jakarta residents to gripe and moan about the deficiencies of the city administration.

Still, it should get credit where it's due for trying something different, including inviting students from Yogyakarta and the capital to paint murals on the fortress of concrete and steel that is Jakarta today.

In place of the posters that now bedeck the flyover columns, student artists chose themes that expressed their love of their country and dismay at its progress.

Unfortunately, the activity was limited to the areas of Cawang in East Jakarta, and Tomang, and Slipi in West Jakarta, and only held during the monthlong JakArt festival. It's continuation would be something to think about to putting a more human, colorful face on the city.

-- Text and photos by P.J. Leo