Phoenix has been home to larger-than-life murals and has previously painted their crosswalks with rainbow colors. The city is no stranger to art. Why has the city become so skeptical of murals all of the sudden?
There has been a lot of resistance to allowing any #streetmurals in Phoenix, and the city stated that they would be “playing it safe” after events that took place in New York and Tucson. The city managers of Phoenix suddenly determined that murals may lead to community problems. Why? The cause cited was “overriding concerns with safety risks and federal guidelines for markings on streets.”
The notion that public art may be considered a safety issue seems to have appeared from thin air as of present. Public art has been an indispensable part of Phoenix’s history, "The City of Phoenix does public art programs and it’s literally nationally renowned, and it’s had a terrific influence on our built environment." said Catrina Kahler, the president and CEO of Artlink Inc. The city has always been unique in its way of expressing and acknowledging art. Why is there now a hesitancy when it comes to artwork that supports the wellbeing of Black lives?
Unlike other cities, Phoenix has worked to thread the needle between diverse communities by bringing often unheard voices into the spotlight. You wouldn't find many cities incorporating corporate businesses with public art and art communities - big storefronts and hotels embracing the artworks created by local artists, letting them express thoughts that deserve global recognition. Yes, Phoenix does that!
A city that believes and encourages "unity and inclusiveness" is not comfortable in having its neighborhood adorned with the statement that "Black Lives Matter." Do the words of advocacy even mean anything when you cannot put that into practice?
Beyond the history of public art in Phoenix, murals and public art have long proven to be an agent for unity and an opportunity for many communities to be represented. They have a long history and purpose of bringing social issues to the public front via local art for people to see, admire, and to become inspired. These arts bring attention to the grave issues of society and hence serve as a call-to-action. Murals like "Nobody Likes Me" (iHeart) in Vancouver and "Faith in Women" (Lady Pink) in Minneapolis are one of a kind and push people to think and rethink societal issues.
As public art holds public spaces, they are accessible to everyone irrespective of class or ethnicity. These street arts require great artistic skills and the ability to express via colors that everyone can understand and relate to. They can be identified with "social, cultural, and economic benefits as well as positive mental health." Opticos, a growing body of research, has written, "Murals have the added benefit of intersectionality."
In addition to being rich in aesthetic and diversity, there are a number of other reasons why public art would benefit The City of Phoenix and its citizens.
“Murals build a sense of community," muralist Grace McCammond said in an interview with the St. Louis Public Radio. "They make it welcoming and walkable and they make you want to go there," McCammond continued.
Murals can build community for the Phoenix population, but it can also build a sense of unity for those who are simply visiting the city. Public art or murals have been serving as popular tourist attraction spots and have contributed to local commercial retail sectors.
Street art brightens up the dark and shady corridors; neighborhoods are turned into bright urban space by enticing murals. This, in turn, makes the area look great, increases property value, and helps deter varying types of crime.
As instruments of public space, murals allow an artist to showcase their thoughts where they are collectively perceived and interpreted by the community. The artist can also get the scope to explore fellow muralists' interpretation of pieces through the “Wall of Respect” for instance. With murals and pieces like the “Wall of Respect,” local artists become more widely recognized by the community. This gives these artists more freedom of expression for local artists and a platform to shine. You like art, you know the artist!
Murals have proven to be a unifying force in different cities throughout the country, and this has also proven to be true for Phoenix in the past. As a community, we have embraced equality, unity, and diversity through public art.
But what happened to the unifying air in Phoenix now? Doesn't the "Black Lives Matter" mural justify the same fate as that of the “rainbow patterns”? The government, in an attempt to play safe, has been shamed by the public for making an “inaccurate” deklcision.
Gizette Knight, the organizer of the Black Lives Matter mural commented, "If we want unity and inclusiveness, why not put it in a neighborhood where everybody goes?"
The City of Tucson was allowed a "Black Lives Matter'' mural on the street downtown. So what is up with Phoenix? The city should allow street art to continue cherishing inclusivity and positivity – or at least to save itself from being called “inaccurate” at making decisions.
