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From: Rikki Asher
Category: Category 1
Date: 12/16/98
Time: 9:47:20 AM
Remote Name: 209.86.140.215
The 1980's was a period of domestic tranquiltiy, while a war was being supported and financed by our government in Nicaragua, where a revolution was going on. In response to this an international mural movement of artist brigades made up of volunteers from North America, Latin America and Europe, committed themselves to learning first hand about this situation. They began spreading the word that there were Americans and Europeans who disagreed with U.S. policy and took joy in building cultutral bridges with the Nicaraguan people. I also went to Nicaragua to learn about its cultural identity in an open, democratic manner, and to collaborate on murals with Nicaraguan artists; joining the Boston based group of dancers, musicians, and painters: Arts For A New Nicaragua. In the summer of 1984 and 1985 I was in Nicaragua, painting outdoor murals with Boston and Nicaraguan artists. The economy was in disarray with plenty of shortages due to the U.S. boycott of Nicaragua and the war continued to drag on. Art materials were prohibitavely expensive or unavailable. We brought materials including paint, brushes paper and pens. We were called "Internationalistas" and painted murals on walls of Cultural Centers that were formally private social clubs of the Somoza regime. Wherever we painted people gathered around us to talk. They all heard about NYC. Young boys played baseball in cow fields and wanted to know about the Giants and Yankees, while young girls helped their mothers at the outdoor markets. The women asked me, "What do poor people of North America think about the revolution?" Our being there surprised and delighted them. The question this paper raises is, " How does being in the world impact the art one creates?" " What choices does an artist make in addressing social issues?" "What compromises?" I am interested in creating public art as a vehicle for social communication and beautification of a public space. I welcome comments.