Patches of Street Art

CEBU, Philippines - A few hours of aimless wandering around the city is sure to lead one to some artistic discoveries. There are historical tableaus and other such public installations to find. And street art is as common to see.

Street art is visual art forms created in public locations, usually non-commissioned artwork done outside of the context of traditional art venues. It encompasses all art forms presented within a street area. Live performances - whether drama, music, poetry etc. - done by the street sides or even right on a street itself qualify as street art.

 Here in Cebu, however, the local concept of street art is mainly the street-side murals. There's quite a stretch of it on the outer walls of the Queen City Memorial Gardens, which can be seen from the street fronting the White Gold Club.

But it's the murals at the Subangdaku, Mandaue, area that's currently drawing attention. The bright colors alone already easily capture the eyes of passers-by. And the drawn figures all the more add to its arresting appeal.

Interestingly, because of the attention-drawing power of the Subangdaku murals, the area has become a perfect spot for community billboards. Congratulatory tarpaulins for successful residents of the barangay hang here every now and then. The area has also become a showcase of the other artistic talents of the surrounding community, as the murals occasionally get spruced up with decorations befitting popular celebrations like Holy Week, Halloween, Christmas, Sinulog etc.

On the more practical side, the soothing quality of the murals to the traffic-stressed commuters cannot be underestimated. It sure diverts everyone's attention from the horrible waste of time on the road. And that's only an initial benefit.

The Subangdaku murals - as do all streetside murals in general - has potential for more powerful "messages." Worthy campaigns like environmental care and anti-drug initiatives could very well find their place there. If only the platform could be spared for noble causes, cleared of self-serving, divisive politicking.

Yet perhaps more than anything else, murals in the city - scarce as they still are - shall be protected from the young aspiring artists who try to put their corruptive mark on the good art of others. If these spray-paint vandals could also be allocated their own space. 

Mural artists often present socially relevant content infused with esthetic value, to attract attention to a cause. They choose the streets as their gallery, opting to communicate directly with the public at large, outside of the conventional art venues.

Therefore, murals, being works of art, need to be upheld and treasured. It can put beauty where there is only blankness or ugliness. The general public needs to be educated regarding this art form. Among other things, people need to take heed of the "calls" embedded in these patches of street art. (FREEMAN)