While attempting to catch some Street Art action in Downtown Orlando, I noticed that there is actually NONE! And after thinking about it, it all made sense to me. We live in a family oriented tourist destination, that wants to be seen as a "Magical" place. The target audience in Orlando likes places that are clean, quite, and that resemble a resort-like structure.
But how does this help us as a City? Or should I say, in trying to become one. Cities are known to be abundant with Art, Museums, Culture and many other things. Among art we have Street Art, which has been a mode of expression through decades. Some of these pieces of graffiti take weeks and if not months to finish, not counting all the cans of spray and paint. In some cases it has also evolved into advertising, which can well tie in with other traditional ways of media. Consequently, I believe, to become a City, Orlando needs to EXPAND ITS HORIZONS. And with that I mean have a better understanding of current trends, as well as edgy styles and new technology, basically be more open minded and willing to explore new views.
This is not to say that there is no art in Orlando, ironically, on my quest to find samples of Street Art I found myself surrounded by many Street Signs.
Street Signs that you see everyday, on your way to work, on your way to school, walking, driving, at the mall. They are virtually EVERYWHERE! But do we ever stop and think about them? Have you ever considered them art? Every art is a way of expression; so in theory every message is a way of art, no matter how it is being portrayed. The medium is not relevant, the important thing is getting the point across.
These thoughts all took me to the conclusion that art is everywhere and while some of you might already know this, rhetoric is sometimes the only way of remembering things. We have all gotten so used to seeing street signs, directionals and businesses logos in our daily life, that sometimes we forget they are there, and they pass inadvertently through our sight.
So next time you are walking around or even driving, don't forget to look at all the messages that are around you. At all the pieces of art that you never cared to look at before.
Song= Bedtime Blues by Dokashiteru.
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