Paint my World
There are many young people, teenagers and not so teenagers, that feel they have something to say. Or who believe they are artists. But they have no outlet for their creativity. So, can of spray paint in hand, clean-painted walls become their canvas. Some truly have a talent that is sadly not recognized. Others mention their political views, such as "Mata al clero" (Kill the clergy). A few have more esoteric points of view to express, such as "Hegel rules." (Philosophers will understand that one.) Still others feel like saying their equivalent of "Killroy was here." But, whoever they are and whatever they paint or express, what they do is still called vandalism and carries a good fine.
But then there is Fanzara, a town in the province of Castellón, where it is not vandalism. Every year there is a selection of street artists who are invited to paint the blank walls of the town's buildings. It's been happening for at least two years, so there are few blank walls left. The oldest paintings, the ones damaged by the sun and rain, will be painted over, refreshing the offer. This is organized by M.I.A.U., Museo Inacabado de Arte Urbano (Unfinished Urban Art Museum). This year more than 150 artists from over twenty-two countries have applied for a wall. Unfortunately, not many more than 20 can be chosen due to the number of walls available.
The organizers can only pay airfare for national artists. Those coming from other countries have to pay their own. The neighbors mostly love the initiative, and will open their doors to the artists during the three days the painting fest is held in July. This curious initiative goes back to 2005, when a citizens' platform was brought together to protest the installation of a toxic residue dump in the area. Some neighbors wanted it because it would bring jobs. Most didn't. When the toxic dump was nixed, the citizens' platform thought up a way to bring tourists and their money to Fanzara. Some street artists were invited to paint a few walls. It caught on in popularity and the event has grown. From being a tiny town of three hundred souls with a dying economy, it has now become a mecca for street art.
But then there is Fanzara, a town in the province of Castellón, where it is not vandalism. Every year there is a selection of street artists who are invited to paint the blank walls of the town's buildings. It's been happening for at least two years, so there are few blank walls left. The oldest paintings, the ones damaged by the sun and rain, will be painted over, refreshing the offer. This is organized by M.I.A.U., Museo Inacabado de Arte Urbano (Unfinished Urban Art Museum). This year more than 150 artists from over twenty-two countries have applied for a wall. Unfortunately, not many more than 20 can be chosen due to the number of walls available.
The organizers can only pay airfare for national artists. Those coming from other countries have to pay their own. The neighbors mostly love the initiative, and will open their doors to the artists during the three days the painting fest is held in July. This curious initiative goes back to 2005, when a citizens' platform was brought together to protest the installation of a toxic residue dump in the area. Some neighbors wanted it because it would bring jobs. Most didn't. When the toxic dump was nixed, the citizens' platform thought up a way to bring tourists and their money to Fanzara. Some street artists were invited to paint a few walls. It caught on in popularity and the event has grown. From being a tiny town of three hundred souls with a dying economy, it has now become a mecca for street art.
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