By Carole Anne Guay
Ottawa South’s legal graffiti wall represents a successful compromise between the city and local artists, say various groups involved in the pilot project.
The city is taking a “pro-active approach” to resolving the growing graffiti problem while recognizing the importance of artistic expression to local artists, says Bob Anderson, coordinator for the City of Ottawa’s new graffiti wall.
“We’re working with the community (and) with the artists,” he says.
The wall, located under the Dunbar Bridge – which connects Carleton University and Brewer Park – was officially launched on Sept. 21.
The idea behind the new pilot project is to provide a spot for graffiti artists to create freely without having to face legal repercussions.
Paul McCann, community pride program co-ordinator for the City of Ottawa, says he hopes artists on site will be more environmentally friendly than they were in the past if they don’t have to hide from police.
Because the area beneath the bridge was a popular spot for illegal graffiti, “cans were left there or thrown in the river and fishermen were complaining,” says McCann.
The city has done its part by cleaning up the area and is looking to install secure garbage containers to dispose of artists’ paint cans.
Kenji Toyooka, a 27-year-old visual artist and clothing designer from Ottawa, says he had never painted graffiti before the launch of the new wall, partly due to his concern for the environment.
“I didn’t pursue it mainly because of the aerosol and the garbage that builds up,” he explains.
However, Toyooka says he supports the legal graffiti wall, especially if the site will be maintained by the city.
He also says that the project opens the art form to a wide range of artists.
“If it was strictly illegal, then people with only specific types of personalities would do it,” he says.
Pat Thompson, a 25-year-old street artist, agrees the project is a step in the right direction.
“It’s a far stretch on their part to understand graffiti artists and spend money,” he says.
On the other hand, Thompson says one of the main purposes behind graffiti is the shock factor.
“Putting it under a bridge in the middle of nowhere serves part of the desire but not all of it.”
As for the future of graffiti in Ottawa?
“I hope the city starts to wake up and embrace it further by doing large scale mural projects,” says Thompson. “Our city has something special here.”
McCann cannot predict if the pilot project will expand to other areas of the city, but says the Ottawa South community has embraced the idea so far.
Anderson says he’s positive that other communities will adopt the idea.
“The quality of art on the graffiti wall is very neat,” he says. “It’s really going to take off as far as other areas wanting to come aboard.”