Canvassing the streets

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