You Fooled Me Once

I read recently an article titled "How Can Street Art Have Economic Value?" which was written by two Italians. One of the key words used was "regeneration" in connection to urban aspects of life.

There is a tricky part when it comes to murals/graffiti. If artists are famous, the value of the property onto which the artwork is done doubles or triples. The realtors are sharks. The landlords are no better. I love art, but discussions related to how much we are obsessed with names should take place more seriously.

The so-called "urban regeneration" may so, well, mean segregation, division, and exclusion. In the past, it was posh to own a Monet and a Picasso. Nowadays, the museum is worn on the outside. Some people's possessions are exhibited publicly quite exhibitionistically.

So, when a project like the one above is possible, the educators should step up and show kids they can make their own art, they can use simple, sustainable materials, they do not have to live/learn in a building marked by a commissioned piece, "approved" by a committee.

The world post C-19 may indeed be a return to normalcy. I assume you know what that is. Or, we could clean our old systems and do not care for names anymore. We can return to anonymity, oral cultures, and intrinsic value.