Yogyakarta's walls filled with color
Yogyakarta's walls filled with color
Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta
The city famed for its art and culture is now becoming the city
of murals.
As part of a bid to beautify Yogyakarta and celebrate its
thriving arts scene, the municipal administration has freed up
over 11,000 meters of walls in the city for mural painting.
The first annual Yogyakarta Mural Art year, in cooperation
with the local Tourism, Art and Culture office, began with a
mural painting festival, where members of the public decorated
public spaces in 47 areas across the city. The fiesta began last
Tuesday and ended today (Monday).
Art and tourism office head Kaswanto said the public chose the
47 areas for mural painting, which were strategically located and
easily accessible.
The aim was to encourage the notion of a civil society and
help maintain public spaces, he said.
The program began in 2002 and the current week-long event
involved residents from each of the locations.
"The public decide ... the themes they wish to raise in the
murals. We believe every location has its own unique character
and history," Kaswanto said.
Painters had complete artistic freedom, he said.
City workers helped prepare the walls for painting but the
mural artists had to provide their own materials. Many people had
registered and participated in the program, he said.
A Bumijo Kidul resident Rismiyati, 45, said the scheme helped
add a sense of tranquility to the city.
Before the murals, the walls in front of her house had been
covered with graffiti even after they were repainted.
"There has been no more graffiti after the space became a
mural. It looks beautiful and I'm sure people will preserve it,"
said the mother of two.
Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta
The city famed for its art and culture is now becoming the city
of murals.
As part of a bid to beautify Yogyakarta and celebrate its
thriving arts scene, the municipal administration has freed up
over 11,000 meters of walls in the city for mural painting.
The first annual Yogyakarta Mural Art year, in cooperation
with the local Tourism, Art and Culture office, began with a
mural painting festival, where members of the public decorated
public spaces in 47 areas across the city. The fiesta began last
Tuesday and ended today (Monday).
Art and tourism office head Kaswanto said the public chose the
47 areas for mural painting, which were strategically located and
easily accessible.
The aim was to encourage the notion of a civil society and
help maintain public spaces, he said.
The program began in 2002 and the current week-long event
involved residents from each of the locations.
"The public decide ... the themes they wish to raise in the
murals. We believe every location has its own unique character
and history," Kaswanto said.
Painters had complete artistic freedom, he said.
City workers helped prepare the walls for painting but the
mural artists had to provide their own materials. Many people had
registered and participated in the program, he said.
A Bumijo Kidul resident Rismiyati, 45, said the scheme helped
add a sense of tranquility to the city.
Before the murals, the walls in front of her house had been
covered with graffiti even after they were repainted.
"There has been no more graffiti after the space became a
mural. It looks beautiful and I'm sure people will preserve it,"
said the mother of two.