Public art: Important, or not so much?

Tiago Garcia has spent nearly four years trying to convince the Island just how necessary it is.

“It has been a lesson in persistence and patience to say the least,” he said. “We have the Bermuda Arts Council, the Department of Planning, Community & Cultural Affairs, Economic Empowerment Zones, the Corporation of Hamilton — there’s no shortage of agencies, yet there is a perceived lack of collaboration between them to realise tangible differences in our public spaces.”

The argument is one he will make at a PechaKucha event at the Bermuda Society of Arts on Thursday night. It picks up on a thread he started 18 months prior.

“I want to live in a place where artists are exalted more than politicians. I believe in beautification through public art and [this talk is] about the progress and some of the existing and ongoing challenges [since that earlier presentation].”

His viewpoint isn’t without bias. Mr Garcia joined Chewstick as the director of its community art programme in April.

“I’ve been trying to lobby Government to consider a beautification programme that doubles as a short-term employment initiative,” he said. “If we bill ourselves as a tourist destination, it’s all about creating a sense of place. I think at times we [are too much the] preservers of history rather than [showing] what we have in our current place and time, promoting the existing population and talent that exists at this place and time.”

People should be able to apply to install public art on government property and have a say in the decision-making process, he added.

His hope is that his efforts will persuade “average citizens” to speak up for the causes they believe in.

“It’s all about encouraging people to lead without position,” he said. “I used to work in government, in the Department of Energy as a junior policy analyst, so I have a good understanding of the difficulties one encounters when they are keen on changing certain aspects of their community, both as a bureaucrat and private citizen.”

Public art shouldn’t be a huge burden on the public purse, he added.

“Most of the public art projects we have undertaken have ranged in price from $100 to $1,500.”

There are less obvious benefits as well, Mr Garcia said.

Chewstick created three large-scale graffiti murals on industrial property in Wellbottom, Warwick. He believes it led neighbours to clear rubbish, rusty vehicles, trees and foliage from the area.

Said Mr Garcia: “[It made] people care about their spaces. Once people see that other people care about their space, they’re more willing to change. The Wellbottom murals also helped to expose quality artwork to individuals that admitted not remembering the last time they visited an art gallery. The local galleries are doing great things, but we need to explore new canvases in public spaces — inspiring without isolating.” Public art also partners well with tourism, he insisted.

“Tourists are looking for a place to take pictures, they’re looking for an experience. I see them taking photos with the existing public art in Bermuda, and their photo albums are shared with their families and friends overseas. Let’s create more photo opportunities.

“Why [is it that] the EEZ published a report in 2008 about upgrading North East Hamilton and very little has been done since,” he questioned. “People got paid for [that report]. There has been more money spent in the last ten years speaking about improving North East Hamilton, for example, than the amount of money spent to beautify North East Hamilton. It’s about holding paid public officials accountable while offering practical solutions.”

PechaKucha runs from 6pm until 9pm on Thursday. Royal Gazette columnist Christopher Famous, artist Paul Doughty, doula Sophia Cannonier and environmentalist Harry Masters are among the presenters. For the full list telephone the Bermuda Society of Arts on 292-3824 or e-mail info@bsoa.bm